Hello yall! And welcome to another collection! This is a compilation of short shots written for the Nep one draw challenge on Twitter, managed by /Nep_onedraw?t=m2dZzTy66-y8jPKrYc4r6g&s=09, the challenge last one hour (from 9-10 EST) and the character is decided at random. These are short little things, but I thought I'd post them here, so I hope you enjoy them! Also slight spoiler warning for this first one, you have been warned!

-marketvalueneps

This was the worst. Anri could not ever in her entire life remember a time she felt like this. So nervous, so anxious. The time passing by slower than the hours before a game's launch. Biting her nail, she took a look at the clock, only to realize, only 10 minutes had passed by since the last time she had done so.

"This is torture!" She bemused, biting her lip as she tried to force down the emotion. This was unlike her, she was usually the calm and collected one, yet, here she was, out of her mind in worry.

"My. Are you ok?" A voice rang out to the silver haired woman's ear, turning her head to see none other than the very woman she worked under,

"Oh. Hello Histoire" Anri pleasantly greeted, before biting her nail once more, "I suppose I'm just…" She couldn't even explain it properly, yet still, the small book fair shot her an understanding look,

"You're nervous about Maho aren't you?" Histoire asked, almost entirely sure that her assessment of the woman was correct, and judging by how her face contorted at the accusation, she was even more sure in her assumption,

"I just can't help it. That girl worries me so much sometimes…"

But what was the source of Anri's worries? It was remarkably simple… the ever bubbly girl had finally been able to convince her so named BFF to let her go on a quest with her! Maho had been practicing her skills for the last months, and was finally to the point where Nepgear was confident she would be able to hold her own.

Of course Anri was worried! Even if before the two had departed, Anri had made extensive effort to give firm instructions to the woman,

"Listen. Do not even get out of eyeshot of Nepgear, and if you even think you see something too strong for you to handle, find her immediately, or transform and get back here, you hear? Maho! Are you even listening to me?" Anri lectured, before noticing the pink-haired ball of fluff was hardly paying any attention,

"Jeeez Anri! It'll be fine, my BFF happens to be like, a super strong awesome goddess! She's like SSR! It's basically a cheat code. No one asked you to worry about me" Maho haughty responded, causing Anri to give her a sort of embarrassed glare,

"I have to worry, because if I don't; no one will, no you will listen to my proper safety instructions!" Anri reupped, as Maho groaned, before being rescued by the other woman present,

"Haha… don't worry, Anri, we aren't going to a particularly difficult dungeon, and I'll be sure to keep a close eye on her" Nepgear reassured, as Anri let out a sigh,

"I know. I know, just… you be careful, you hear me, Maho" Anri finally relented, as she stood directly in front of Maho, who offered her a toothy grin,

"Tots! You don't gotta worry about anything!" she reassured, as Anri felt a nervous smile work its way onto her face, she was right. She just had to have faith in her.

Back in the present, that sentiment all but faded, replaced entirely with the worry that now plagued Anri, it wasn't her fault! She had to protect Maho. That was her responsibility. And now… she was somewhere where she couldn't protect her. She trusted Nepgear, she truly did, but… she couldn't help herself!

"Please. Anri, have faith in Nepgear, and in Maho herself. I am quite sure they will be fine" Histoire tried to reassure her friend, who took in a deep breath, closing her eyes. In her mind's eye she tried to visualize how their day was going, if only to reassure herself how silly she was acting,

"Ooooo! Look at that dragon! So cool! SSR for sure! Gotta take a pic for the chirper!" Maho's voice called out in Anri's mind, as she innocently walked up to an ancient dragon, behind her, Nepgear's back was turned, as she dealt with her own horde of monsters.

As Maho walked up to the dragon, Anri couldn't even let the rest of the scene play out, snapping out of it as her eyes flew open, taking rapid shallow breaths, as she shot to her feet,

"I need to go out there!" She yelled, as she withdrew one of her concealed weapons. That ditz was going to get herself killed! She… she needed to protect her! She needed to…

"Heavens! Anri calm down!" Histoire chastised, raising her voice slightly, as Anri realized what she was doing, sitting down as she gripped at the hem of her translucent dress. This. Sucked. Seeing this, Histoire gently floated up to her, as she placed a hand on her shoulder, looking up Anri saw Histoire's gentle smile,

"Anri, I understand how it feels. Not only do I understand how nervous it can be just waiting, I have experienced the same thing when Neptune and Nepgear go out on their quests. Not only this, but I have lived with the regret of that failed mission to the gamindustri graveyard that left the CPU's captured for 3 years. I understand, Anri. But. All we can do is have faith in them, and believe they will come back, like they always do." Histoire gently explained, as Anri took yet another deep breath.

"I know. I know… I have faith in Nepgear, and in Maho. But I just can't stand how helpless it makes me feel knowing I can't protect her"

"I understand. You truly care about her, it is commendable." Histoire complimented, the duo soon assuming a quiet silence, before they heard the distinct ding of the elevator, shooting to her feet, Anri made her way down the hall, to see…

"Maho!" she yelled as she quickly rushed over, throwing her hands around her, "Are you ok? Did you get hurt? Do I need to get any medicine?" She asked at a million miles per hour, as Maho soon nervously laughed,

"Woooaaah chillax Anri. I'm fine. It was just a simple extermination quest, it wasn't even too hard, like a tutorial!" Maho explained as she put her hands on Anri's shoulders, "You know this really isn't like you" She laughed, soon causing Anri to practically throw Maho off her, crossing her arms,

"Shut up! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you!" She lectured, as Maho nervously laughed once more, putting her hands up in apology, as if the way Anri felt was in any way her responsibility, huffing, Anri soon looked at the other girl, "I bet she was a pain in the butt as per usual?" She asked, ignoring the words of opposition this generated from the target of the snide comment,

"Haa… she wasn't any problem at all, actually! Maho is actually really powerful!" Nepgear explained,

"Hmph! I told ya Anri! I'm a goddess candidate too. I'll have you know!" She bragged, as Anri rolled her eyes,

"Don't go feeding into her ego or anything. She's bad enough!" Anri practically begged, as the trio soon devolved into their usual shenanigans, before Nepgear had to excuse herself, to fill out the remaining paperwork of their quest, leaving behind the duo from the PC Continent, who found themselves in a rare silence, before Maho finally spoke up, her tone far more reserved than it usually was,

"Anri…?" She started, as the girl looked over, a curious glance on her face, this sure didn't sound like Maho, "Im… happy I have you… I might not say it as much as I should, but I don't mind your worrying about me. Please worry about me forever…" Maho nervously explained her feelings revolving around the gray haired programmer. She didn't really pay much mind to it, but where would she be without her? She didn't want to think about that actually.

Anri stared at her, as if she had never met her in her entire life. Was this… Maho? There was no way. Clearly she was dreaming, and yet… "Of course, Maho. I'll worry about you for the rest of our lives, and nothing can change that" She subtly smiled, as she gently wrapped her arms around her, "Nothing that could happen would make me stop worrying about you. You dummy"

And Maho couldn't help but smile. She liked the sound of that. She truly was a lucky girl. Now if only that luck would transfer over to her gacha games…