AN: Hello all, welcome to another one shot! This one was inspired heavily by an art piece by ミナギ on pixiv. Now thats just the user name I dont speak that language so Idk how to properly credit, but just check it out lol. Ive always wanted to write a piece about that drawing, and so I just had to set up background for it. I may have went a little to far, i got a little to into it, but regardless Uni and Nepgear is possibly my favorite ship of all time (with NepNowa close behind) So I was excited to finally try my hand at some! Regardless, I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave a review if you have something to add!
-marketvalueneps
Common knowledge- Common knowledge is knowledge that is known by everyone or nearly everyone, usually with reference to the community in which the term is used. Sometimes such knowledge is not as common as one would expect given the circumstance. In the context of where we find our story we take the stage in the futuristic and impressive capital city of Planeptune. One would anticipate an absolute leader to be knowledgeable on the ins and outs of the running of their nation. It only made sense right. But as would be proven again and again perhaps common sense wasnt so common.
Yet in this nation that could not be farther from the truth, the leader, the ever lazy and pudding loving Neptune was not particularly interested in the daily goings of running the nation, deferring to her Oracle, and her own younger sister more often than not. This attitude bled into all sectors of the nation, the economy, law, infrastructure, and of note, national affairs. Well professional matters of national affairs. Neptune was more than willing to party it up with the other leaders whenever she was given the excuse. But when it came to trade? Immigration? International law? She deferred these matters.
That is she deferred matters of national affairs regarding all nations except one. Lastation. This had everything to do with the leader of that specific nation. Blanc in Lowee with its isolationist policies did not concern itself much with Planeptune. Vert in Leanbox was very much involved with Planeptune, the nation closest to the isolated island nation. However Vert was more than willing to do all her dealings through Histoire, and preferably to the green CPU, Nepgear.
Noire was different however. She adamantly refused to let Neptune escape her duties, as such she often found herself taking extended multi day 'trips' to Planeptune. In actuality work related matters were handled on the first day solely, with the two being as close as they are they often used the later days as an excuse to spend time together. This made the working part of it worth it in the eyes of Neptune, Noire was someone she shared a special bond with, even among her other incredible friends.
To Neptune her meetings with Noire were actually something she looked forward to, sure it sucked to have to work out all the nonsense politics, but it was always something to look forward to to unwind with Noire.
That was the exact position that Neptune found herself in at the present moment. Noire had made certain that Neptune knew when she would arrive and to be ready to 'get her butt in the office and working' as she said. Neptune couldn't help but roll her eyes at the memory. But as she looked around her humble (?) abode of a house she couldn't help but notice the practically bubbling energy radiating off her younger sister, and CPU candidate.
It wasn't unusual for the CPU candidate to be in such a state, as she was a naturally bubbly and expressive person. But Neptune being around her so much, and knowing her as well as she did, could tell that she was in an especially cheerful mood on this particular day. The reason? Simple, the CPU candidate of Lastation had agreed to come over with her sister to spend time with her Planeptunian counterpart. (After much fussing and haughty 'rejection', of which Nepgear was more than prepared for knowing how her close compatraint as well as she did)
"Wowzers Nep Jr, are you really that excited to see the second Tsun in command?" Neptune asked her sister. Neptune knew that Uni and Nepgear were just about as close as she and Noire were, so she really had no room to comment, yet she still felt it necessary.
'Hmmm? Well yeah! Uni is always so busy, so it's been awhile since i've seen her, she needs to take more breaks or else she'll get wrinkles" Nepgear finished with a pout. Unlike her sister she knew the importance of work, however her closest friend worried her more than the black haired tsundere knew. So Nepgear was glad she was finally able to convince her to take a few days off and relax with her.
Unbeknownst to either of the Planeptune CPUs was that this was in fact a far more arduous process than should be necessary to set up an outing between close friends.
Lastation Basilicom- 3 days before
"Here Noire I finished those documents you asked for," Uni curtly spoke as she let herself into the grand main office of Lastation. She spoke even quieter than usual as she noticed the CPU was in the middle of making a call. She had done this more times then she could possibly remember, so she thought nothing of it. This was the kind of dedication needed to run a nation. She would do anything to ease any burden off of Noire that she could.
She knew that Noire was as flawless a CPU as they came, but she also knew that she had passions beyond what she would let anyone know. She knew that much as her sister, she had tried to deny, but she found herself more and more unable to after she was confronted with the image of Noire's dream during the events surrounding the Heart Dimension. Uni could never rationalize how she felt about said dream. On one end it was the most frustrating that she could imagine. Her perfect sister acting like a selfish megalomaniac. It was unthinkable, impossible, insane.
But on the other hand, didn't Noire have the right to pursue what made her happy? Doesn't everyone have that right? How does that balance with the duties she had to carry out as the CPU of Lastation? Was it even possible to balance those two things? Uni constantly found herself unable to answer these questions. So doing her best she had come to the conclusion that if she helped Noire as much as possible then maybe just maybe that would leave Noire with more time to pursue her own desires.
"Oh thank you Uni, can you please leave those on my desk?" Noire responded bluntly and loudly, which confirmed to Uni that whatever conversation Noire was having on the phone was not of utmost importance.
Before she could either confirm or deny this thought, Uni replied, "Of course, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to head to the guild now." Uni finished with a bow before heading out of the office. This was the schedule she had forced on herself, finishing her paperwork as soon as possible before heading out to the guild to handle a lionshare of quests. This brutal schedule left with little to no energy most days, but what was required was required. All a means to an end.
Meanwhile, still in the office, Noire could only sigh before she heard the voice on the other end start up.
"Woah she is like all work and no play, I wonder where she got that from" Neptune whistled out. Over the years Neptune had managed to get Noire to stop her own dangerous work habits, somewhat. But it seemed that her influence had reached her sister, and Nep would not stand for it! Or so it would appear.
"Yea, yea I know! I know! Uni is really starting to worry me now-a-days. Working is one thing, but it's not healthy to work yourself into the ground. I know, ironic coming from me, but I'm just worried about my sister." Noire finished with a tone of worry in her voice. She knew that her and Uni didn't share what one would consider a standard or normal sister bond, but she still cared for her more than she could describe, so she was worried.
Neptune, sensing this, quickly tried to formulate a plan to put to rest the worries of the goddess. Soon thereafter she spoke, "Oooo I got a brain lightbulb Nowaru! You know how Nep Jr is like totally super close to Uni, how about you invite her over to our next meeting. You can disguise it as that nasty work stuff, and Nep Jr can work her magic!" Neptune cheerfully exclaimed as she explained her plan.
In truth this killed many stones with one bird as Neptune would say. Over the last few months she had noticed that Nepgear had on many occasions attempted to, and failed, to invite out her friend on one of the off days Histoire granted. Neptune noticed that she seemed to be growing more and more worried. So with the plan all would be well again!
Noire pondered it for a moment before starting, "That's… actually a really good idea Neptune, I guess that brain is just for pudding storage after all" Noire chuckled at her quip, not long after Neptune came to her own defense,
"Wow ok that's rude! Everyone knows I store my pudding in my pocket! Nothing better than a lukewarm pudding, everyone knows that!" Neptune explained while flailing her arms, an act that was invisible to Noire.
"Those rules only exist in your world. Either way I'll see what I can do when Uni gets back, can you get Nepgear to try and give a little extra push from her end?" Noire asked, trying to hedge all bets to make sure she could get Uni to actually relax for once.
"Righto commando Nowaro!" Neptune gave a salute, which again was invisible to Noire.
"Alright, thank you Neptune, I'll see you then" Noire finished the call with a genuine tone, a light dusting atoning her face, Neptune swore she could feel an arrhythmia at that moment, perhaps she should get that checked out?
The next few hours served as a test in patience, planning, and a true sign of good intention with no realistic way to achieve them. As noire sat at her desk simultaneously working while trying to think of what to say to Uni when she got back. A feat surely more impressive than the twintailed goddess put any thought to. She was at a loss. She had no idea how to ask her own sister a simple question in a way that felt genuine, but also punctual and to the point.
It was times like these she cursed Kei for leaving off on her own endeavors. Seriously, what kind of oracle does that! Noire cursed as she lost her train of thought for the umpteenth time. Suddenly she found herself startled by a voice at the door to her office, snapping her head, she gulped as she saw the unmistakable dress that identified her younger sister.
"I'm back Noire, here are all the listings for the quests I finished." Uni once again was polite, and to the point. Not helping Noire at all. Also not helping was that Uni was already turning to the hallway, presumably to take a shower after her long day.
Panicking, Noire quickly stumbled out "He- uhh Uni! Wait!" Seeing the odd look her sister gave her did not reassure Noire in the slightest. But now was the time to be strong, she had to, for Uni's sake. She had to cancel out her embarrassment, if for the only time in her life. It was one of the things she admired about that stupid idiotic purple haired ball of energy.
So, using all her mental resolve Noire started. "Soo hey Uni, do you, uh do you want to join me on my next international visit to Planeptune? I think it would be a great idea for you to observe how the real thing is done. Besides I know you haven't spent much time with Nepgear lately, and I know how close you two are" Noire finished, against all odds she actually formulated the question in a way that seemed genuine, and punctual, she might have done-
"Count me out, what would you need me there for? And besides, Nepgear told me all you two do is goof off! And what does Nepgear have to do with any of this!" Uni replied way more defensively and aggressive then she had intended, but what's said is said.
"Gah whywhy would she say that? We do not just good off!" Noire instinctively responded defensively, however after taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and continued. "Uni I am serious, you should seriously consider coming with me, if nothing else just for a change of scenery. You've more than earned a break, take it easy, relaxing with a close friend is not a crime, I know I haven't been the best role model in that regard, but I am serious." The goddess of black finished with upturned eyes to her sister. This was do or die, she knew how stubborn she could get (I wonder where she got that from).
Uni looked down. This was the exact conundrum she found herself in. She really wanted to spend time with Nepgear. Really nothing sounded better, especially with how much she had been putting on her plate the last few months. But something in her mind kept bringing her back to the questions she could not answer. Could she afford to be selfish? Would that affect Noire and her ability to live the carefree life she deserved? Why would none of the answers just come easy to her damnit! Why did the choice seemingly have to be between her duty and someone as precious to her as Nepgear?
However, before she could spiral even further, Uni felt a vibration in her pocket, pulling out her N-gear and looking at the caller. "Crap, it's Nepgear" She exclaimed, seeing that it was the person she wanted to talk to the least in the state she was in. But knowing Nepgear she would simply call until she picked up anyway. Seriously, the girl was strangely persistent about some things and passive about the others. Shaking her head, she turned to Noire and explained, "I have to take this, excuse me." She bowed, as she quickly made her way down the hall to her own room, before picking up.
Noire didn't consider herself a nosy person. But she couldn't help but wonder what was being said between her sister and the sister of her closest friend. Eventually she found her curiosity too great, and she too made her way down the hall to Uni's room. Placing her ear up against the wooden door to try and overhear as much of the conversation as she could.
"Ugh Nepgear, you know how busy I am, I can't afford to mess around, if I don't then how will Noire be able to enjoy all the things she deserves to, I mean c'mon I know you understand with all that Miss Neptune does." Uni explained to Nepgear, Noire having no idea what prompted it. However she heard enough. She could only look down in shame. So that was what was going on? Uni had taken it upon herself to lessen as much as her workload as possible so she could enjoy her hobbies.
Now when Noire tried to get her to take it easy she reacted like she did. Truly Noire felt as low as she had in quite some time. A complete failure as a sister. Now all she could do was put all her faith in Nepgear to try and salvage what she still could.
Thankfully the True Goddess seemed to be smiling upon Noire at that moment, for the next thing she heard from the room, "Fine fine, jeez don't cry, stop you're not terrible, I'll come I'll come alright, does that make it better?" Uni seemed to calm down Nepgear, and after a few more moments she seemingly hung up the call. Sitting up with a "Stupid Nepgear" she made her way to the door, evident by the footsteps approaching said door.
Noire quickly hurried herself away, and back to her office, where she was not alone for long, as Uni had made her way back to explain her change in heart, and decided to accompany her to Planeptune in 3 days time.
Plan success.
Planeptune Basilicom- Current
Neptune couldn't help but smile at the sight of her younger sister so happy. She had received word from Noire not long after Nepgear's call with Uni that Uni would be joining her. Neptune was glad at the turn of events, it had been way too long since the Lastation and Planeptune sisters just chilled together. It was always something that ended well, so she had high expectations.
Not long after this interaction, a knock rang out from the basilicom's door signaling the arrival of the duo. Neptune jumped up, and cheerfully sprinted to the door.
"Heya Noire, how goes it!" She bubbly greeted as she flung open the door. Immediately taking note of the awkward pose that Uni took behind her sister. But Neptune knew that wasn't her job, that job was reserved for…
"Uni, how are you?" Nepgear greeted with a bow, as polite as ever. Soon the Lastation sisters let themselves in. With Noire and Neptune quickly disappearing to the office wing to get started on the actual agenda that Noire had brought for them.
That left just Nepgear and Uni in the main hall, and as the two made idle small talk and quips, Uni couldn't help but feel the questions slip into her frame of mind once more. As she looked over to the smiling face of the lavenderette next to her she didn't actually hear the words that left her mouth, and even still they still poured out, "He- hey Nepgear,'' she started.
"Hmm, what is it, Uni?" Nepgear tilted her head at the question that left her friend's lips.
"Do, do you think one can mix duty and responsibility with leisure and fun?" Uni felt her lip quiver slightly as she asked.
Nepgear felt her features tighten, she knew something was off with Uni, if nothing else based on the call she had with her a few days back. So as Nepgear figured this was what was bothering her so much, she considered it as seriously as she could. After a few moments she began, "Well I think it's kinda common sense"
"What do you mean?" Uni asked, somewhat offended, I mean it couldn't be all that common if she couldn't think of it, now could it?
"I mean that everyone wants to balance their work with their personal lives, and that to be a healthy person is to achieve the perfect balance. If you do too much of one without the other you'll lose yourself. Look at Miss Vert and Miss Blanc, they both maintain their hobbies and interests while still being able to manage their nations" Nepgear finished with her finger to her chin. She tried to give her best answer to the question, and hoped that she would be able to help Uni as much as possible. But to her dismay, Uni's face still bore a troubled expression.
"But, but if I do that, how can I be the best? How can Noire get everything she deserves?" Uni seemed genuinely lost. Nepgear could feel her heart break at the sight, but she kept strong as she pondered it further.
"I don't think the goal is to be the best, I think that we all have to do as much as we can, and that the reason we are surrounded by so many wonderful people is that they can pick up all the slack. You don't have to do it all alone, Uni. And neither does Miss Noire. Let me help you, let sis help you. Let Rom and Ram and Miss Blanc and Miss Vert help you both." Nepgear finished with a warm smile on her face. Uni looked at her friend awestruck. She had seemingly figured out her whole dilemma in less than 5 minutes.
Uni felt silly. I mean how could she not have thought of that. It seemed as though even Noire knew this, she had been spending more time around Planeptune as of late, so perhaps that was the answer she had found. But really Nepgear had always done that hasn't she? Any time Uni found herself at ends, or found herself down, or in need of someone to keep her on the right path Nepgear always seemed to be there for her. She was her first friend. She was always there for her.
Slowly she knew she felt her feelings around the girl evolve. She knew it, with how her heart beated when she talked with her. Or how she started to notice all the wonderful details about her. Or how deep down she knew that whenever she needed to talk to someone she knew who to call. Why then didn't she think to ask her about this before? Perhaps it was just stubborn pride. Perhaps it was her locking herself in. Perhaps it was the hanging question about mixing life with work. All that Uni could think however-
"Wow don't I look silly?" Uni said with tears barely hidden behind her features.
"Not at all!" Nepgear, however, took exception to this, and with a swift motion grabbed Uni's hands close to her. "It's ok to not know all the answers, just please Uni? If you ever feel like you don't know something or something is bottling up, please tell me ok? You worry me" Nepgear finished, and looked Uni in the eyes with a fierce stare.
"Ok, ok, I promise. Im sorry" The last words came out as almost a whisper as Uni felt redness overtake her features at the closeness between the pair. 'H-Hey can we do something else?" Uni tried to get them to move on, and Nepgear seemed more than willing to Uni's grace.
The coming hours for both pairs passed by in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time to retire for the night, as such, Uni and Noire took off to their separate guest rooms. There was enough and they never usually shared a room so why not take advantage of the many rooms?
As Uni made her way into her room, she changed out of her usual black dress and adorned her sleep wear she had packed. For her that constituted a light lavender shirt and matching pants, as well as letting her hair down from the tails they usually were confined in. As she brushed her teeth and laid down for the night.
After an unknown amount of time, Uni felt herself jolt awake. She had been awoken by a terrible nightmare. In her nightmare she had been forced to choose between saving the world and the lives of everyone she loved. To Uni it felt real. The enemy, way more powerful than anyone could handle. The weapon entrusted to her, the cursed gun that got stronger with each life it claimed.
Uni was in a cold sweat as she quivered beneath her covers. It was only a dream, and yet. And yet it felt so real. The choices were something that may happen at some point during her time as goddess. She didn't know what to do. Was it worth it to save the world at the cost of everyone else. She didn't know! As she lay there Nepgear's earlier words rang in her head
it's ok to not know all the answers, just please Uni? If you ever feel like you don't know something or something is bottling up, please tell me ok? You worry me
"Gahhh! Stupid Nepgear!" Uni let out her frustrations as she grabbed her pillow and made her way down the hall to where she knew Nepgear's room was. Both in a tired delirious state, and having bonded with the goddess in training that day, Uni couldn't think of any other course of action.
As Uni made her way down the hall, finally reaching her destination. As she reached out and grabbed the handle she stopped and soon felt her blood run cold as ice as her she spotted another hand already on the handle. Looking up, her blood ran even colder as she spotted the face of her older sister, sporting similar Pjs to her own, only in a lighter shade of purple. They bought it in a set!
"Gah! N-N-Noire?! What are you doing here, this is Nepgear's room you know!" Uni couldn't think of anything else in her state. After all, why was her older sister in front of Nepgear's room?
"Uni!? W-What are you doing? This is Neptune's room?" Why Noire wanted to be going into Neptunes room was something that seemed to slip either mind.
"No, this is Nepgear's room. I've been here a hundred times!" Uni yelled out.
"I've been here a thousand times, and this is Neptune's room!" Of course somehow in their tired state both sisters had forgotten that the Nep Sisters shared a room. And that they had both gone to visit at the exact same time. What kind of cruel fate could be at work behind this?
As the shouting match continued outside the room, inside the room a conversation was taking place all its own. Neptune found herself thinking over the days events. While Neptune and Noire did accomplish what they had set out to do, Noire found herself wondering out loud about her sister on many occasions. And while Neptune tried to reassure her that her sister would work her magic, Noire had her doubts.
"Say Nep Jr, you think Noire Jr is feelin any better? Its all Nowaru would talk about today" Neptune started up out of the blue.
"Huh? Oh Uni? Yea she just had to work some things out, she's doing alot better now! I'm so glad!" Nepgear gleaned out as she put her hands together.
"Hmmm that had my Nep brain thinkin… What is Uni to you?" Neptune asked with a mischievous grin. She had a gut feeling she knew the answer to the question, but she wanted to hear Nepgear say it even still.
"Uhh, well…" Nepgear could feel her face heating up at the question, "Uni is my best friend, she matters a lot to me, when she does stuff that hurts her it hurts me too" Nepgear tried her best to verbalize her feelings revolving around the Lastation candidate.
"Sounds to me like my dear Nep Jr is becoming a woman! You two would be so cute together" Neptune chuckled. Knowing full well the effect this would have. She had long suspected something between those two. Her eye of Nep missed nothing, and shed be damned if she let this opportunity pass her by!
"Neptune! Me and Uni!? N-n-n-n-no way!" Nepgear felt her face ignite, she had long since come to terms with how she felt about Uni, but she had absolutely no way of knowing how said girl looked at her. And besides it still was super embarrassing! Looking for any way to deflect the attention away from her she quickly retorted, "But what about you and Miss Noire, I mean you two are as close as me and Uni!" She squealed out. Neptune however simply laughed at this.
"Well duh! That's my Nowaru. Why do you think I've been trying to get her to come out of her Tsun shell?" Neptune responded with no shame. It was unknown whether Neptune could actually feel shame, but that was not something that could be answered by science. Instead Neptune turned the heat back on Nepgear. "But c'mon Nep Jr, I see how close you two are, just tell your ol big sister. Besides, I'm glad for you. When you take over this nation of ours, you'll already have good relations with the other CPUs, I can't say the same. We don't talk about it much, but we all used to basically be at each other's throats!" Neptune explained the starting line that she had to deal with revolving around the war time of that era.
As Nepgear cooled herself down, and prepared to answer, she couldn't help but hear what she thought was shouting at the door to their room. "Hey Neptune, do you hear that?"
"Hmm? Now that ya mention it '' Neptune agreed. Soon Neptune hopped off her top bunk, and made her way to the door, and with a swift motion opened it. The sight that greeted her was something that no one involved would ever forget. Especially considering Neptune never planned on letting them.
Perhaps it wasnt Planeptune that lacked common sense. After all common sense dictates you remember that your best friend/totally not crush shares a room with her sister. Alas it seemed that common sense was as rare as it came whenever the Lastation sisters were involved.
END