They reached the next island barely a few days later, much to their disappointment, though not as big as one would expect, it still wasn't the one that matched the description those Marines gave it.

As it was inhabited.

But it wasn't awful as it meant for the androids yet another occasion to interface with humans again.

Their encounters had been… fluctuating mood wise, but this was how life was.

Things happened, and they were different every time.

It wasn't the same cycle of life and death they were so much used to, and for the opposite to happen it may take some time.

But as far as Robin could see her companions appeared to be adapting quickly.

Perhaps her presence helped them be prepared beforehand, but she didn't want to take too much credit for it, these androids had more capabilities than they thought they did.

Or that they were made to think.

Still it appeared that they did enjoy coming in contact with the kinder elements that helped them, and that they did help, like the prisoners, or the weaponsmith and his family.

Speaking of him, and more specifically the two swords, they had decided to keep it as a surprise for Olivia, and Robin thought it would be nice for once to make her a meaningful gift after all she's done for her.

And because no one else fit the same person that held those weapons better than her either.

Her sister seemed to strongly agree, she didn't know if it was for a personality thing or something else.

Cattleya too had meant to keep her lance, the Tears of Wisdom, as a surprise herself, she claimed that she wanted to show Freesia and her friends that she too had become stronger. She had said so while holding the dagger Lycoris gave her when she broke down so hard that time…

The time they both finally realized that they were more similar than they thought.

The time they finally got closer to one another, after years of antagonism.

She was sure that the Gunner in particular would be so very happy to see her move forward in the world on her own legs.

It would be about time.

When they got to this new island it was almost sundown, meaning they wouldn't have too much time to visit this time around, and that they would probably resume their journey sooner than expected.

Having an Eternal Pose avoided the trouble of having time to set for a regular Log Pose, since they had a clear destination.

When they'd get there it'd be the thing they didn't know yet.

However, for being so late the town seemed pretty lively still.

And actually pretty well adorned too, there were lights and colored decorations all over, but Robin knew it was not any of the important occurrences she knew, so this must be something tied to the island itself.

As she mused quietly with the others, Jackass spotted their answer, as she pointed to a poster on a nearby wall.

"Apparently there is a party tonight…" Robin put a hand to her chin. Actually it was more of a festival.

"What is it about?"

There were a lot of colorful words on it, people dressed in traditional clothing, and most they could make out was something about… love?

Their confusion was apparently evident as a young girl approached them.

"Are you foreigners?" she asked.

Robin nodded. "What is this festival we're seeing so much about?"

The posters were literally everywhere, besides the obvious decorating. Inwardly she wondered just how long it took to organize all this.

"Oh, it's the yearly love festival."

"So it's a couple thing?" Jackass asked, not very subtly lacing an arm around White, much to her discomfort.

They were not a couple, right?

Not the way Anemone and Cattleya were, their lovely resident couple on the blue planet, for now. Only that today the ex Resistance Leader was not with them, taking White's place as a ship guard this time, trusting that their Scanner would be fine without her, but refusing she'd stay behind with her.

Her ability to collect information was too crucial.

But this got White thinking… what were she and Jackass? Old friends, yes, they had been deployed together, before she became YoRHa's Commander, and what a terrible job she did…

For some reason Jackass kept insisting on being at her side.

And she couldn't wrap her head around as to why she did, but well… Jackass was a weird one to say the least.

A wildfire even.

"Well not exactly just couples, love is universal and comes in many forms, friends, family, lovers, we celebrate them all. And foreigners are welcome to celebrate with us, sharing is also an expression of love."

That was a surprise.

What if they were ill people?

"There's a beauty salon hosted by the old women of our island, they love treating strangers to our traditions when the festival comes around, you can rent some of our traditional kimonos and get a nice hairdo at a modest price." and being old women this also gave them something to do that they enjoyed.

Other than an excuse to get pampered a little.

"Please consider giving it a thought, the more people the better."

The girls looked between themselves, could they truly say no? The answer was also negative.

"I'll go get Anemone." Jackass scurried away before anyone could tell her not to, or before Cattleya said the same thing.

Hopefully the ship would be fine with no one to guard it for one night, they left it hidden away at the opposite side of the port after all. Anemone had to participate, their Scanner would not have it otherwise.

White had Jackass, and Robin?

Well Robin had Freesia… so far away from her on another planet entirely…

How once again she wished she was here…

How she wished the others had all been here, their friends, their family, and all the couples in the group that loved each other so much…

They would just love being here, she knew.

But as her hands tightened on her bag, Robin had an idea.

The girl that explained to them what the festival was, also gave them the instructions to find this supposed salon, and they headed over to it as soon as Jackass returned with Anemone, with the woman as curious as anyone else about the ordeal.

Just as they were described, the place was mostly a huge room with comfy looking chairs, and generally mostly a hairdresser with clothing exposed on one side of it, but like they were told, they were just kimonos.

And of course with many old ladies, at least ten of them, and at the moment, there didn't seem to be many other people they were serving.

Mostly a few girls, but there were a few boys too coming to rent a kimono, or get their hair fixed.

Most likely what they were here for too.

One of the old ladies came over to the group, as she did she seemed to have a shine in her eyes.

"Are you foreigners? And are you here for tonight's festival?" as she asked, her mouth curved in a bright smile, as if she already knew they were for it.

With her white hair pulled in a high ponytail she almost looked like an old version of Amaryllis, even though her hair being white was due to age and not due to the color they were when she was born.

Robin explained that albinos were supposed to be a rarity, perhaps someone at YoRHa loved that trait if most of their creations were like this, the majority.

The rarity between them was Cattleya's red hair, that though in humans could also be considered uncommon, it wasn't as much as white was. But she still was an oddity, same thing with the twins, they were the only three androids with that hair color.

But these kind women didn't seem to care or notice anything odd, they just appeared happy to spoil them, particularly they looked interested in braiding White's long blonde hair, and fond of dressing them up, finding the kimono that mostly adapted to them.

Such as finding one big enough for someone tall like Robin, or one that matched Cattleya's eyes, or to find accessories to decorate their hair, with a little sprinkle of makeup.

Well… letting them spoil them for a bit couldn't hurt, no?

"Wow you all look so pretty!" Amaryllis' shout came over from the other side of the screen.

Before the festival they had headed back where their ship was so no one saw or heard them communicate with the Pod.

Robin had a long elegant black kimono with gold ornaments, and a gold outline that made her eyes shine, Cattleya was given a pastel blue one with a white sash, a little blue eyeshadow and a white headband replaced her usual black one.

Anemone had a pastel green one instead, along with the eyeshadow, her hair pulled tightly in a bun with a long hairpin keeping it together, Jackass instead had a bright red kimono, and a flowery clip on the side of her head keeping the eye usually covered visible since she took had her eyes painted.

White instead, the old ladies had the time of their life with her long hair, braiding them for the occasion, along with her white and gold kimono, and the dark outline on her eyes she looked quite regal, perfect for the Commander she was.

The only missing thing would be her rapier sitting at her side.

But they didn't call the others because they wanted to show off how those old ladies dressed them up, for a rather modest price too, for borrowing clothes plus the hairdo and makeup, but because Robin had something to say to them.

So she nodded.

"Yes, but I called for this exact reason too." she paused for a moment. "I would like you guys to enjoy this occasion with us, even if you are far away."

Though Freesia and the others did as much as to tilt their heads. "How?"

They obviously couldn't dress up for the occasion, but they could still watch the people and listen to its music, and possibly participate in their own ways.

"I told the girls, but basically I would like Pod 007 to hide in the dark and transmit you the images as things happen." since he was dark enough, and the little orange light on the top of his head could be confused for another light.

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

Their worry was well placed, however…

"It's a festival about love and friendship, it would be mean for us not to include you in some way." Cattleya added, knowing they would understand.

They were a family, and a group of friends and also, Robin did need Freesia at her side somehow. She wouldn't say it out loud, but like how the human taught her to observe people, the Scanner just knew that look of longing in her eyes whenever she looked at the couple she and Anemone were, but White and Jackass too.

This must be harder on her than she let on, so she immediately approved the idea.

As did the others, probably for similar reasons.

Well, what other reasons would there be anyways? Just the fact they were a family was enough to do this.

"Then we will try to make the best of this, hoping one day we'll get to celebrate this together, all of us."

Even without a festival in the middle, if they would be together it would be the best thing ever, perhaps soon…

But for now this would do.

The festival was brimming with people celebrating, dancing and singing cheerfully with joy, adults and kids alike, clearly this was an occasion very much loved by the people of the island.

Something told Robin they were even full of pride from the way they spoke about this.

The atmosphere was just too nice, one could feel their worries melt away just at the sight, which Robin hoped was good enough just from the screens of her Pod, as she looked up at the sky watching it float around in the dark of the night, as she sat in a corner with a glass of wine.

Briefly she wondered how alcohol would affect an android, but then decided not to worry about it.

She recalled that Devola and Popola did drink, well, Devola mostly, and unfortunately she was quite addicted too, but given their past she couldn't blame her for it.

So much pain for so many years could drive anyone insane.

Robin didn't know how the two managed to stay remotely sane despite everything, must have been because no matter what they had each other.

She saw it with her own eyes, no? Loneliness hurts beyond any kind of wound.

She herself when she lost her home, Freesia when she lost her comrades, Clover when he lost Luna… and who knew how many others? Pain she sometimes may have even contributed in delivering…

Lost in thought, Robin almost didn't notice that one of those nice old ladies that dressed them up earlier walked up to her little corner.

"You look troubled young lady, why aren't you with your friends?"

The human spared a glance to her fellow androids, with Anemone managing to drag Cattleya to dance, despite neither of them being able to, they were so enamored with one another they dragged the attention of the people around them.

At the buffet instead there was, despite her stoicism, White accepted to be fed a slice of some kind of cake being offered to her from Jackass, they were also being very sweet, in all senses.

And she really hoped that somehow the others on Earth were also enjoying themselves.

Somehow.

"I don't want to ruin the mood." perhaps she should have let them participate, and she should have stayed behind to guard the ship, alone.

"You don't have a special someone?"

A special someone?

Yes, she did.

But…

"She… the place we live at no longer has means to support us so we are looking for a new home, but her… and many of us had to be left behind, for the moment…" Robin placed a hand on her heart as she said so.

Realizing just now how before she was interrupted, her thoughts had taken a negative turn.

Because Freesia wasn't here…

It was astounding how much of a grounding presence she had become in such a short time.

Her and everyone else, but she was her girlfriend still.

"I wonder how she's doing right now…"

"Please take care of her for me." she had left Amaryllis with these words, knowing well how the girl could be the only person that could keep Freesia sane, while she was absent, and console her if needed.

The girl hadn't questioned her, nor made it about a matter of trust, given that she loved her too, they trusted one another, and Freesia's happiness was what mattered to both.

She just knew she'd be in more than good hands with Amaryllis.

What she received was a bright smile.

"Leave it to me."

She had no doubt that she was doing her best to keep Freesia happy, Amaryllis was way too kind and always willing to make people happy not to.

"I understand." the old woman put a gentle hand on her arm. "I am sure you will see each other again soon."

"I wish you younglings the best."

Robin chuckled quietly as the woman left, younglings, when the androids of the Resistance were even older than her, even White and she didn't know.

No one did.

But somehow she found herself holding on to these words.

In the meantime on Earth…

With the aid of Clover, Pod 042 and Pod 153 managed to create a bigger screen for everyone to see, as Pod 007 from the other planet broadcasted them the pictures of what was happening, showing off the ambient, music and people.

But keeping the focus mainly on the girls they knew.

And right about now how Anemone and Cattleya were slow dancing to a pretty song, whose words were about longing. Perfect for them.

They watched as the Resistance android took the taller Scanner woman and twirled her around as it ended, Cattleya hadn't stopped smiling once, ever.

"Those two are just so cute." Amaryllis put an arm around both Freesia and Lycoris, threatening to spill the Gunner's drink as she did. Devola and Popola went through the whole process of making them.

Devola was already drunk and literally purring in her sister's lap, while Popola just amused her, knowing well how aggressive she could get when drunk she refrained from touching alcohol entirely.

"I'm so glad they found each other again." she held them both closer. "I'm glad we all found each other again."

Her blue eyes moved to Luna and Clover dancing away in the middle of the camp, with Sunny trying to drag Olivia to do the same thing. "And I'm glad we met so many more new friends."

"What's with all the sentimentalism?"

"Oh come on, Lycoris, it's a love festival, can't I be happy to say I love my friends?" as she said so she hugged them even tighter if possible.

The Gunner growled, grumpy as ever, but she didn't pull away, and neither did Freesia, she however was holding on to something she had tied around her neck.

"Anyways, what's the deal with that?" the raven pointed to the item.

"It's Robin's old visor." the rogue rolled the cloth between her fingers. "When… when she died it was all I had left of her, she tied it to my neck so somehow she'd still be with me."

She recalled how much her hands were shaking because of the virus…

"It gives me strength, when she's not here…" in short, she missed her, even if her friends, Amaryllis in particular, were doing their best to distract her from it, and she appreciated it a lot.

But it still remained the fact that she missed Robin, and until they saw each other again it wouldn't change. Knowing she was alive did make it better though.

"And besides, wasn't it what we did for Cattleya too?" so she would feel them close just by having Freesia's mantle around her shoulders, and Amaryllis' cloth on her head and Lycoris' knife at her side.

So she'd feel less alone, despite the fact she wasn't.

But it was good to see her make the best out of it, given how usually solitary she was.

She'd gotten better over the years though.

Actually, they all did, especially now that they were no longer at war, and could be themselves and with each other.

But looking at the display of love and happiness, a certain Gunner couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest. She knew this feeling, it had been the whole reason why she and Cattleya had never gotten along for years until she realized it…

Jealousy.

Well, it wasn't like she had no friends that loved her, all the opposite in fact but…

Would there ever be someone for her out there like Anemone was for Cattleya? Or Robin for Freesia? Luna and Clover? Sunny and Olivia?

With a sigh she excused herself from her two albino friends, even leaving her drink behind.

She needed time to think, before she exploded on someone like she used to.

She liked to think she'd grown out of it, but her aggressivity was still always present, and she didn't want to hurt anyone like she hurt Cattleya so much she started thinking she hated her ever again.

What a damn bully she'd been, and for what?

As Lycoris left she could feel her friends' eyes on her, but she didn't care.

At the moment she just wanted to be alone.

After all, she didn't want to be the one to ruin the joyful mood, didn't she?

"Oi, why are you here all alone? It's a party, there's no time for moping."

Of all the people Lycoris expected that could come after her she didn't think about Dahlia, actually wasn't she pleased to not have anyone annoying her?

"I do what I want."

Dahlia put her hands on her sides indignantly, the Gunner wasn't even turning around to face her, she just looked down to the crowd having fun below from the edge of the building she decided to sit on.

"Oh come on, I came all this way to check on you."

A shrug. "Why would you?"

Why would she need to?

"Did you come here to argue? Or to make fun of me? I'm not in the mood for that." not like they ever did anything else but fight.

In all senses.

With each other and together against foes.

Well… there was that time where Dahlia almost died and Lycoris triggered B Mode because of it…

No it wasn't because she cared okay?

If that was the case then it should have been the same for Cattleya too, but for the Scammer she felt nothing more than friendship, rather close now that she understood that they were more similar than she thought.

So no she didn't do it for Dahlia, not at all…

But well… she'd be lying if she would have let either of them die again, and back then, Dahlia had died at her side.

She'd been the one to refuse that she'd sacrifice herself alone, the same feeling shared with Lily, Daisy and Gerbera, as they together took down that Goliath machine destroying their reactors in the process.

But still… it had been her to convince the rest and to act first…

No, there was nothing behind it other than friendship.

Rivalry even.

But nothing more.

Nothing.

"After all this time you really think that low of me?" didn't she say that when she followed them to fight the giant scorpion that she did it because she was worried for them?

That included her, no?

Of course!

But Lycoris was so damn dense it seemed.

Yet her anger had triggered Berserk mode though… it had to count for something.

Dahlia refused to believe otherwise, also because Cattleya was long established with Anemone, and Lycoris knew it as well as anyone else, and for as dumb as she was she knew neither were the true object of her interest.

Otherwise why would the Gunner keep amusing her with their little fights?

But what if this wasn't more than a simple friendship to her?

It took Dahlia a while to realize it, after the incident with the scorpion that the one she'd been looking out the most for, had been Lycoris, out of everyone.

Well, a talk with Gerbera and the others helped her realize how dense she'd been before, to not see that the way she loved to tease the Gunner was more than friendly rivalry because their personalities matched yet clashed with one another.

She'd always been rather stupid, but she did care for the people around her.

But she wasn't good at showing it, coming off as aggressive, and sometimes even mean.

Being bad at feelings seemed to be a constant within the whole group at least.

Still, what if Lycoris wanted nothing more? But if she didn't say a thing she'd forever remain with the doubt, and regret it if it would be okay.

Also it didn't stop her from worrying either.

Actually it only made it worse.

When she didn't reply Dahlia sat down at her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Now do tell good old Dahlia what's wrong."

Lycoris turned her head away, but didn't shy away from the touch at least.

"It's stupid."

"Yeah I'm an expert at dumb things, so spit it out." perhaps she should have been more delicate, but that word wasn't much in her vocabulary.

It took a bit for the Gunner to give an answer, but Dahlia stayed patiently waiting.

Odd, but somehow neither seemed to mind sitting here just next to one another.

Perhaps they never did mind each other's company, despite the teasing, but that might as well have been their own way to show affection to one another.

"I'm jealous." the Gunner sighed softly. "But after I talked with Cattleya, and realized that I had been mean to her to the point she thought I hated her because of this jealousy, I promised myself to not let it get the better of me again."

A shrug.

"So here I am." so she wouldn't risk hurting anyone in such a joyful occurrence until the feeling subsided.

She would never say it would pass, because it never did.

It just lurked in the back of her mind, forgotten for some time, but never left her entirely.

Perhaps it never would.

It was just how her personality was made, she guessed.

Just like any other, and she could try but could never truly change entirely.

Not even Freesia changed entirely even despite all that happened to her, at the core she was still the sweet person that loved her comrades to bits as she had always been.

"You're jealous? Of what?" of who?

Again Lycoris took a little bit of time to answer, seemingly trying to measure her words.

"When I spoke to Cattleya that day she ran away, we ended up talking about jealousy, and I asked her if there would ever be someone for me out there like Anemone has been for her." she had answered that there was that someone, but never told her who.

And she always knew everything so it kind of annoyed her too, that she'd been left in the shadows like that.

But she also said that love couldn't be controlled, it just happened, so maybe that was why she stayed silent on giving a name.

"I am not jealous of them, or our couples so to speak, I just wonder if I will ever get to experience what they have with someone too one day…"

She just wanted some affection too.

But she was often aggressive and abrasive, while the people around her could show that despite the cold exterior they could be sweet and loving underneath, she was never able to show that side of herself.

Perhaps she didn't know how…

"I must have something broken… my heart…" long ago she told this to Cattleya, back when they had just been deployed and had just met the Resistance.

Back when she plainly told her she disliked her.

Yes…

There must be something broken within her…

Dahlia growled beside her. "You really are that dumb."

What?

Lycoris just opened her heart right here and this was what she had to say!?

"Oh screw you!"

But when she broke out of the hold Dahlia had on her shoulders, she found her hands grabbing her by the scruff of her dress, dragging her down…

Until their lips met each other in a raw and feral kiss.

Just like how they were.

"Why the hell do you think I'm here for? Idiot." Dahlia almost glared at her when they parted, her hands still holding Lycoris' vest. "Do you really think that all these little fights we had were for nothing?"

"I like you, you goddamn idiot!" then a sweet smile like she'd never seen one on Dahlia's face.

"But you're my idiot."

Lycoris' mouth twisted from surprise, to a smile, and then to a grin. "Does it mean you're my idiot too then?"

"Of course, stupid." she dragged the Gunner towards her face again, and this time she came forward on her own accord too, without the need to use force again.

Until Dahlia took Lycoris' chin in her hand. "So… those words before were an insult or an invitation?" she breathed, with her usual mockery.

But she meant it.

"Oh fuck you…"

A chuckle. "I'd love it if you did."

"Idiot."

But after all, what was love without some teasing?