Remember that one time I mentioned something about life and going through ups the downs? Neither do I, but after a recent up I got bogged down by a ton of well, bad stuff and believe it or not I've been trying to update for the past couple of days. Long story short I'm not letting this fic die so you'll have to excuse the bumpy start as I try to get back into the groove of things. Feel free to take a quick refresher course while I try to find out how to squeeze in more writing and brainstorming in the loads of downtime that's being forced upon me. As usual let me know what you think and I'll do my best to get things going at an acceptable pace. Oh, and sorry for the wait, I'm just as mad at myself as you might be for letting what happened, happen. Ok make that a week and a half, and forgive my rust.
It wasn't long after this blue-haired woman and I began talking before Neptune started waking up. "Aaah~ Sleep after a meal that big is the best!" She said as she leaned back to yawn and stretch, making me lose my balance a little. I crouched a little to let her get back on her own two feet and watched as she approached the lady I was talking with. "Hmm..."
"I-is something wrong?" Our guest was slowly backing up from Neptune and was nervously looking from side to side as my sister circled around her.
"Nah, just wondering who you are is all." Neptune turned to me with a sly grin on her face and walked towards me slowly with one foot in front of the other. "I mean, it's not like I was hoping to be properly introduced to you by my dear sister who seemed to be willing to help you find whoever you're looking for or whatever while I was napping."
She must've been waking up a little before this person approached me. "Oh, she's...um..." Oops, I must've gotten carried with offering to help her out I completely forgot to get her name. "Ah, sorry! My name is Nepgear and my sister here is Neptune, Planeptune's Matriarch and we-"
Our guest cut me off with a gasp and frantically bowed towards us. "Y-you're the Matriarch that Lady Vert went to investigate!? Had I known I wouldn't have bothered you with my own problems!" She stood upright, red in the face, and spoke again after clearing her voice. "I'm 5pb. and it's a pleasure to meet both of you. If you don't mind my saying you two are already much easier to get along with than the other Matriarchs."
"What's wrong with the other Matriarchs?" I stepped forward, concerned that there might've been more to Noire than what we've seen. "We met Lastation's recently and she didn't seem too bad, although most of her time was spent with Neptune so I can't really say much." My silence was a cue for her to speak up and she did so with an exaggerated groan.
"Noire...eh...I think I can see where you're going with this. Noire is an 'all work and no play' kind of girl that you only want to deal with in tiny doses or else she'll tire you out with speeches and procedures and...I'm getting a headache just thinking about it." Neptune scratched her head and giggled. "Aaaanyway, pretty sure Vert was bored to death by Noire but what's this about Lowee's boss lady? She can't be that bad, right?"
"Lowee's Matriarch...is an odd one. She's a really sweet girl who wears heavy clothing, even in this temperature, and is pretty calm most of the time. Lady Vert's taken a liking to her and even invited her to concerts and sessions...and that's when..." 5pb. shied away and spoke in a hushed tone. "...that's when the trouble starts."
"Sounds more like fun to me. Do they run around crashing the place when things get boring for them?" It sounds like Neptune's interest in Lowee's Matriarch rose a bit, but 5pb. nervously smirked and nodded.
"As a matter of fact, they do, and it's actually encouraged during sessions because that gives the side that's fighting against Lady Vert a better chance at winning. I'm not sure what sets her off but one moment she's cool and collected and the next she's swinging a huge weapon around trying to hit our Lady."
"Ooh! Can't wait to meet her!"
"What!?" How could Neptune want to meet someone that sounds like a maniac? What if she went crazy in Planeptune and seriously hurt someone there? "Neptune, you might want to think this through. I don't think you want someone like that at back home, especially since we're doing everything we can to get it back on its feet."
"Oh no no, Lady Blanc's an angel!" She stepped forward, reaching out to me before withdrawing again. "I-I didn't mean to make her sound bad, but she truly is a nice woman and has the most adorable smile but...it's Lady Vert. She...I think she intentionally angers Lady Blanc for fun because things usually get hectic, especially when they're alone... I could be wrong though, that's just a guess."
"Uh-huuuuuh~" Neptune playfully rubbed her chin and gave me a quick look before running to 5pb.'s side and putting her hand on her shoulder. "There's more to our fellow Matriarchs than I thought. What about those concerts you mentioned? Does Vert bug this Blanc lady there too or are do they...you know..." She raised her eyebrows and poked 5pb.'s side, tickling her a little until a shadow passed over us.
I don't think either of them noticed since 5pb. was beginning to blush and started twiddling her fingers together. "N-no...Lady Vert promised to be on her best behavior during my concerts..."
"You're a celebrity?" I would've said that alongside Neptune but I caught another glimpse of that shadow passing over us. I looked up and didn't see anything in the sky, but I'm sure something is following us, and I know for a fact it isn't Uni this time. Hmm...it can't be Vert either because she went to that thing of hers... "Whoa, we're the ones wasting your time and not finding...whoever you were looking for. You lost your manager or something like that?"
"Um, Neptune?"
"Not now sis, I'm sleuthing here. 5pb., you've come to right pair of girls for your troubles because we-" A loud hum, followed by a sudden gust of wind, stopped Neptune mid-sentence and made her take a few steps back as a stern looking, redheaded woman floated into view from above. 5pb. was the only one that wasn't fazed at all by this newcomer's entrance and even welcomed her as she landed...and then glared at us.
"Who are these women?" This woman's voice was a lot more...mature than I thought it would be for someone dressed in such frilly clothes. Her white dress was odd in that it exposed a bit of her chest and that opening was held together by thin black strings, and there were was another small opening near her stomach. At least, she would've been exposed but it was clear she was wearing a black bodysuit of some type underneath, which went along surprisingly well with the increasingly dark purple, frilled edges of her dress. Her white thigh-high boots clacked on the ground as she took short, precise steps towards us and stopped within arms length. "I will ask once more: who are you?"
"W-we're from-" I could barely speak with how hard the woman was staring at us, standing completely motionless as her tiny pigtails blew in the wind. My eyes locked with hers and I couldn't look away from her jade gaze, and tried my best to answer her. "We're from Planeptune and-"
"Cave!" The tension between us was shattered instantly as 5pb. stormed towards the woman she called out to and pulled on her arm, but she still kept her focus on me. "How many times have I told you not to bully people that just want to talk to me?" After a few shakes I was freed from the redhead as she was yanked away and was able to deal with the warm, soft feeling pushing up against my back.
"Eh?" I turned around to see Neptune trying to hide behind me and giving me a mischievous grin. "Why were you ducking behind me like that?"
"Did you see the way that weird bug girl was looking at us? I don't want any part of that!"
"Wha-? You're the Matriarch here, you're suppose to be brave and take charge in situations like this. What if-wait, weird bug?"
"Yes, bug. How could you miss those antennae bobbing around up on her head like that?" She turned me around and pointed at the newcomer's head, and after getting a careful look I could see two thin, black stalks sprouting from her head. H-how DID I not notice those? "Can't blame you for not seeing those, she looked like she was ready to murder you for talking to 5pb. Why is that I wonder? Of course, she's her bouncer!"
"D-don't say things like that!"
"No need to flip out, I literally had your back. Hey look, I think 5pb. is done fussing at her buddy." Before Neptune had a chance to move I gently grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to stand her ground in front of me as 5pb. and her friend walked back to us.
The redhead didn't look directly at us and folded her arms, pushing up the small purple flower hanging right above her cleavage, as if she was disappointed with something. "Forgive me, I had a lapse of judgement the moment I saw the two of you with 5pb.. I meant no ill will, I was merely protecting-" 5pb. cleared her throat loudly, making her friend adjust her focus on me with a slight blush on her face. "I thought I was protecting something important, little did I know I nearly reprimanded a foreign Matriarch. Allow me to properly introduce myself: I am Cave, and I wish to make amends." She extended her hand towards me with a flat expression and waited for me to return the favor.
I couldn't help but smile as I took her hand and correct the tiny mistake she just made. "I'm Nepgear, and I'm only the Matriarch's sister." I tightened my grip to in hopes that Neptune would take the hint.
Neptune pulled away from me with a grunt and readjusted herself before taking Cave's hand and cautiously shaking it. "Yeah, I'm the Planeptune Matriarch and I don't want to offend you or anything but you come off as a really intimidating lady. The only reason I tried to get away from you is because you were looking at us like we committed a crime or something. Would it kill you to smile or something?" Seems like Neptune is already comfortable talking to Cave even though she was just hiding from her a moment ago...shame the same can't be said for Cave. "Or don't, that works too."
"I have been trying to do so this entire time at 5pb.'s behest. According to her, her sister, and Lady Vert I have difficulties smiling." Her sister? Does she mean 5pb.?
"It's fine, I guess. Some things just can't be helped and-" Neptune stopped mid-sentence and began sniffing the air, making me do the same to smell something fresh and...kind of strong now that I noticed it. "Is that you smelling like super flowery perfume?"
"Not quite. What you smell is the scent of my outfit, or more precisely my dress, courtesy of 5pb.." She did a small courtsy as 5pb. bowed as well with a smile.
"Never mind my request by the way, it was Cave I wanted to look for." She looked pretty embarrassed and readjusted her headphones as she continued talking. "Lady Vert had gotten wind of Planeptune getting an interesting Matriarch and asked me if I could throw something together to celebrate in case she could convince you to come here. My shows wouldn't be what they were if it wasn't for Cave and MAGES., and I didn't want to disappoint so I..." She shook her head and took Cave by the hand and ran past us. "As a matter of fact, we're going to get the stage ready for tonight! We'll see you later!" With those final words she and Cave went running in the direction of Vert's Basilicom, and a quick shine off her partner's back caught my eye that lead my attention down to something bobbing from side to side on her hips.
"Told you she was a bug girl. Did you see her stinger?" I shook my head as Neptune stepped forward to try and get a better look at the pair that just left us behind. "Pretty small but I'd bet my next dessert that she's a bee or a hornet, which means that 5pb. is something fierce to get someone like that under her thumb."
"Well, she did say she was a singer."
"I didn't mean that. I mean, yeah, that's part of what makes her special but did you see the way Cave acted when 5pb. started speaking up? She's totally calling the shots and either she's a human with more pull than she's letting on or she's some crazy Mamono and she's hiding it like Vert." Neptune motioned for me to follow her and we began walking in the same direction as 5pb. and Cave.
"Where are we going now? The only people we know that could guide us through Leanbox are off doing their own things."
"Did you already forget that we were invited to Vert's little shindig? I wouldn't mind a little role playing actually, it'll help me sort some things that have been going through my head." She picked up the pace and briskly jogged, forcing me to chase after her wondering what she was talking about...
We wandered around for a little bit after passing Vert's Basilicom until we heard a loud commotion coming a few blocks away and decided to investigate it. What we came across was completely unexpected as large, wooden stalls and buildings lined a wide stretch of green grass with white lines on it. "Halt!" A large woman, in full metal armor with chains and wielding a long spear, stopped us just short of the field. "State your business or begone from the premises!" At least, I think it was a woman, there was hardly any skin showing with the exception of lips moving behind the helmet grating, giving their voice a kind of echo-y sound to it.
"Ooh ooh, this has to be the place!" Neptune boldly stepped forward, puffed out her chest, and threw her hands on hips. "We are Planeptune royalty and we want to help whoop Vert's scaly butt!"
The guard lifted the metal grating on their helmet and lowered themselves to speak with us. "Pleasure to meet you." This was a woman after all and she was talking in a different, less harsh tone than before. "Lady Vert's been excited to meet you ever since we got news from the Gusts' Network. I can't wait to see you in action. Ahem!" She stood upright immediately and slid the grating back into place and stabbed the ground with the butt of her spear. "Proceed! You would do well to look around before challenging Her Highness." She stepped aside, even though we could've easily walked around, and let us pass into the bustling bazaar of sorts behind her.
As we looked around at all the shops and attractions here I couldn't help but feel like we didn't belong here since nearly everyone was wearing old looking clothes and light armor. "Hey Neptune, are you feeling a little-Neptune?" She was right next to me a moment ago. Finding her with all these...these giants around is going to be next to impossible unless I manage to find a food stand and wait for her there. I nodded to myself, knowing that Neptune can't resist eating something new and set out to try and find food stall. "Excuse me, I'm looking for-ah, sorry! Can you help me find-oof! Have you-aaah!" No matter where I went no one could hear me and I was getting knocked around by everyone going about their business to the point where it started to get dizzying. I broke free from all the people that towered over me and found my way towards some benches that seemed to be the border between the people and the rest of the expansive green field. "How am I supposed to navigate when I can't even see over anyone?" I took a breather, looked around the area and saw a flash of pink hair in the crowd on the other side of the bazaar. I groaned and ran all the way over, making sure to dodge the taller people that I seemed to be invisible to, and caught Neptune taking a large chunk of meat from a blonde, tanned girl wearing an odd hat with dog ears from behind a stall.
"Hey Nepgear! Check it out, it's a rack of you!"
"Wh-what!?"
Before I could ask what she meant the blonde girl reached out and wagged her finger towards Neptune, making her laugh nervously. "Hey now, you shouldn't mess with the poor girl like that. Look at her, she looks like she's on the verge of-" A loud horn blared over all the noise around us, silencing everyone for a brief moment before everyone started heading towards the field. "Oh, there's the signal for the next round! Looks like it's time for my next shift, so good luck and-whoa whoa whoa!" She looked at me, my leg specifically, and after shuffling in her little stall for a moment walked towards us with two wooden swords that had an unusual shine to them. "You weren't planning on going out there with REAL weapons, were you?" She asked as she stared at the hilt on my thigh with a few heavy sniffs. "You two are obviously new here and I'm surprised no one's told you we don't use real weapons for these sessions. Well, the weapons you see the guards, or the non-player characters, holding are real but those are also for show and atmosphere. If you're actually taking part in sessions you need to take an approved weapon because well, you don't want to hurt anyone and Lady Vert tends to-"
Another horn rang out, this time followed by the sounds of people, interrupting the dog-eared girl once again and giving me a chance to speak up. "We haven't been here long and we're really just visiting and..." Neptune had already put her food away and grabbed hold of her weapon and admired its handiwork. I accepted mine as well and there was a little weight to it but I was still able to comfortably hold it with one hand. "We don't even know how to do this L.A.R.P. thing and we'd stick out like sore thumb."
"Pfft!" Neptune blew a raspberry and swung her sword around precisely with both hands before letting it rest on her shoulders. "All we have to do is fight with the people on this side of the field, beat the stuffing out of everyone else, and uh...we'll figure it out after we win." She smiled at me expectantly and bounced back and forth while I took a few practice swings myself. "If we're lucky we might even bump into Vert!"
"Y-yeah, about that..." The dog-eared girl scratched her head, making her ears flick a little, while looking around nervously. "You didn't hear it from me but Lady Vert is...how should I put it? She...nevermind, just watch your step around her and try to stay out of her way when she gets that look in her eye." She waved good-bye and went back to closing her stall, leaving me to wonder who she was as Neptune grabbed my free hand.
"This is going to be loads of fun!"
"Neptune, wai-" She pulled me alongside her, laughing without a care in the world, all the way back to the open field where we could see people in all kinds of outfits fighting among each other. "That...we're going to be getting in the middle of all that?" Two women, wearing fur skirts and shirts like some kind of old barbarian, pulled themselves out of the melee and stood before us.
"Fall before the might of Lady Vert!" The more muscular of the two came running towards us with a massive sword that was nearly bigger than Neptune, but it didn't look all that sharp and I think I could see hints of...paint or something like that. My sister darted in front of me and with her sword in both hands took a horizontal swing and scored a blow at the attacker's abs, stopping her in tracks. "Khh!" She dropped her sword and slumped down to the ground on her knees while clutching her stomach, making the smaller woman that was with her panic.
"Ahh, sis!" She immediately dropped her own sword and pulled out something out of her skirt wrapped in white cloth, threw it high in the air, and watched as a small, green ball fell out of it and slowly parachuted back down towards us.
The smaller woman knelt down to check on her sister, along with Neptune, but they were pushed away gently as the muscular woman rubbed her stomach and looked up at the ball floating back down to us. "You didn't..."
"I-I panicked! That looked like it really hurt and this was going to be an emergency or something!"
"Ugh...I was caught off guard, I didn't think someone as small as her could hit that hard." She got up on her feet and sighed before looking back toward the mass of people fighting each other. "You had to go and use the signal. I told everything would be fine as long as you stuck with me. Alright, any second now..." Not a moment after she said that something took to the air from the other side of the field and came flying straight toward us. "...that's her alright. I really hope things go smoother than last time."
"What happened last time?" I took a few steps towards Neptune and stepped behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder as a woman, wearing nothing but what looked like green armor, landed in front of us. I was certain that this was Vert but this wasn't what I imagined when she said she was hiding her true form from everyone.
Her long, blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail and waved from side to side behind her as the air settled around us. The green armor was more like scales and...they were covering her more like a swimsuit that exposed her stomach while also barely covering her chest. She also sported clawed gauntlets that extended up to her elbow and legs from the knee down formed into some fierce looking scaly feet. Her wings were also fully extended and made her look even more imposing as she folded her arms and scoffed at us. "Hmhmhmh...it seems that my time has finally come!" I might've been seeing things, but I think I saw something green hit the ground behind her as she said that...and why hasn't anyone actually answered me yet?