[Caves]
The snow flies dangerously in the storm, smashing against Neptunes body. Frost begins to form on her cheeks and mouth as she looks around for any sign of Noire. Her legs shake as the wind makes it nearly impossible to move.
Noire.. Where are you..?
As she pushes on through the snow something grabs hold of her arm and begins pulling her along. Deciding there wasn't really much she could do she used her remaining strength to push on through the storm, trying to keep up with whoever or whatever was pulling her. Snow pummels her body from each and every direction. It's ice-cold venom striking at her skin. Eventually, she's lead into what seems to be a cave, guessing from the darkness. As they tread further and further inside the storm beings dying down, till it can no longer reach them. Neptune shivers a little as the cold still lingers, even here. Though, it's no where near as bad as outside. She looks down to find something still holding onto her arm and turns to the mysterious figure, "Thank you, but I have to go find No-... Noire?" She stops as she stares at the Lastation CPU.
She saved her life. What's more is, she's okay.
"NOIRE!" Neptune cries out as she wraps her arms around her. "N-Neptune..?" Noire stutters, looking down at Neptune. She let's out a sigh of relief and embraces her in a hug. The hug lasts for what seems like forever before Noire breaks silence, "Uh.. Hey, Neptune? I think this has gone on long enough now.." she says. Neptune looks up at her, "Nooo. Just another minute..." she rubs her head against Noires chest before continuing, "They're really comfy, you know.!" She finishes. Noires face lights up. "...Th-that's-!" Noire stutters as she pushed Neptune away, "You're such a pervert!". A huge grin forms on Neptunes lips. "Ah, come on, you love it~. Anyway, how did you know where this cave was?" She asks. Noire walks over to pick up some sticks that are lying on the ground. "Well, I saw it while I was looking for more monsters... When the storm hit I kinda remembered which direction it was in.." she states while putting the sticks in a pile. "Huh? You mean while snooping? Anyway, nice sense of direction you have!" Neptune says as she walks over to see what Noire is doing. She sits down next to her and watches intently. Noire places some small rocks around the pile of sticks before rubbing two sticks together. "Uh? Noire? Whatcha' doin'?" Neptune asks. "Making a fire.." she answers. A small light starts to glow inside the pile of sticks before Noire gently blows towards it, making it grow bigger. "Woah!" Neptune gasps. Noire smirks, proudly. "It'll give us some light and warmth" she says, resting her back against the wall of the cave.
Neptune shuffles in next to her. "Hmm? But what about this? This makes it warmer too!" She says as she snuggles into Noires shoulder. Noires face flushes red as she turns away, "G-geez, Nep".
"Hey, Noire.. how come you didn't just leave me out there.?" Nep asks, looking up.
"...Well.. I couldn't let you die could I? I mean that'd mean breaking the friendship treaty." She answers.
"Was it the friendship treaty? Or you didn't wanna lose your only true friend?" Neptune teases as she pokes Noires cheek./
"... S-shut Up! Don't make me regret saving you.." she retorts.
Neptune curls up next to Noire and rests her head on her lap.
"..you said you had to go back and find me.. did you really mean that..?" Noire asks, nervously as she fiddles with her hair.
"..Well of course. You're my best friend. I couldn't leave you out there.." Neptune answers with a friendly smile.
"..and if you couldn't find me..?"
"I'd never stop looking".
[Church]
"Tag, You're it!"
"Awe, no fair, Ram!"
"It's perfectly fair!"
The sound of small feet running echoes through the church.
"Rom, Ram, please be quiet."
"Now, now, Blanc. They're young and they're bored."
"I don't care. They're annoying me."
Vert lets out a sigh before continuing to watch the young CPU candidates as they play. The way Vert saw it, Rom and Ram were lucky. They never had to go to war to earn shares, or fight other countries goddesses like she and Blanc had. They never had to plan attacks or defences against other countries. They never had to work hard every day. They were lucky because they never had any real worries. They could be friends with the other CPU candidates. Most importantly though, they had a sister. A sister who, although rarely showed it, cared for them and loved them. But here they were. Safe. Whilst in a deadly snow storm. But all Blanc thinks about is how they're annoying her.
"..They're safe."
Blanc looks over at Vert, who remains watching the girls play. Blanc didn't understand it. Here they were in a snow storm and Rom and Ram are playing. Playing. Like nothing is wrong. Sure, It's better than them being in danger, or even worrying about the others. But, still. Playing? Surely they could at least do something productive. They could train. They could get some rest. They could even plan for more updates on Lowees consoles. But here they were, playing. Playing noisily at that. They could at the very, very, least play something quietly. Blanc didn't understand it or why Vert didn't seem to mind. She didn't have sisters, so she didn't know what it's like to have them be noisy all day, everyday.
"..They're unproductive."
Vert turns to meet Blancs gaze. She opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted by the innocent voice of Rom.
"..Sis, we're getting really tired"
The older CPUs turn to see the girls standing in front of them.
"..It doesn't seem like the storm will end anytime soon so why don't you have a sleep on one of the benches." Blanc offers.
"..Okay."
The girls curl up together on the bench in front of Blanc and eventually fall into a deep sleep.
"..I do hope that the others are okay." Vert whispers.
"..I'm sure they're fine. It's not like they're stupid. Well, not all of them anyway."
"I suppose that's true. But they don't live near snow. They wouldn't know what a snow storm was. Well, perhaps Noire might but Nepgear and Uni won't. Neptune defiantly won't."
"Then let's hope Noires pride doesn't blind her like it usually does."
"Hmm? Someone has a thing against Noire it seems.. I guess she can be stubborn, but she's also the hardest worker out of all of us."
"Tch. Lastation has been in front of us forever, how can you not have a thing against them?"
"I guess we think differently. Regardless, I hope Nepgear is safe.. I don't even know what I'd do if something bad happened to her."
[Barn]
The sound of snow crashing against wood fills the world outside. Inside, a small glowing light covers two sleeping CPU candidates. They lay motionless, holding each other. A light growling sound comes from underneath the wool. Eyelids begin to flutter open revealing bright purple eyes. Nepgear sits up a little and looks around. Uni's arms are still tightly wrapped around her waist. She smiles, gently brushing Uni's hair. She considered herself and Uni lucky. Just a few hours ago they were stuck outside in a humongous snow storm. Just a few hours ago she couldn't see past the blinding snow. Just a few hours ago she thought Uni would freeze to death. Just a few hours ago.. felt like an eternity ago.
Now, Uni was very much alive.
Now, they were snug and warm in an old barn.
Now, they-
Growl.
Now, she was hungry.
She sighs and lays back down. There was no way this place would have any food in it. All she can do is keep warm and hope the storm ends soon. Another small growl comes from her belly. She feels the arms around her tighten as the small, raven haired girl begins to stir. Red eyes slowly open as she let's out a small yawn. She takes a few seconds to remember where she is and what happened before looking up at Nepgear, a dark blush across her cheeks.
"Hey, you okay, Uni?" Nepgear asks.
"..Y-yeah. The storm hasn't passed yet, has it?"
Nepgear shakes her head. "Not yet" she replies.
Uni let's out a sigh. "..Nepgear.. Do you think the others are okay?"
"...Yes, I do.."
"That's awfully optimistic of you.."
"Hey! I really do think they're fine."
"But Rom and Ram are so small.. there's no way they would last long in that storm.."
"Y-yeah. But don't forget they were with Blanc and Vert. I'm sure Blanc would know what to do and where to go in a snow storm. Maybe they do, too."
"..then what about Noire..?"
"Uni.. I'm sure she's okay. Noire is really smart right? She'll know what to do, or at least work it out.." Nepgear whispers, her lips almost touching Uni's cheek. A dark shade of red covers all of Uni's face. Tingling feelings shoot around her body. Her heart beating fast in her chest. She sinks further into Nepgears grip as her body melts. "..O-okay. I g-guess you're right. I should start being more positive about things." She stutters. Nepgear let's out a giggle before replying. "I'd be more worried about leaving Neptune alone with Noire"
"Huh?" Uni felt her body go tense. What was Nepgear implying? Were Noire and Neptune a thing? Did Neptune like Noire? Did Noire like her? What did Nepgear know that Uni didn't? For all she knew her sister and Neptune were best friends. They were close, anyone could see that. But a couple? Uni couldn't see that. Maybe because she hadn't been looking. She let's out a frustrated sigh. "What do you mean by that?" She asks, flatly. "Hmm? Well, just that Neptune would be extremely bored and she'd probably end up driving Noire mad." Nepgear replies. "O-oh.. Right. Y-yeah, that makes sense." Uni relaxes her body. Why did she even get so worked up about this? Even if they had been like that it was none of her business.