At this point we made it into the elevator and were on the way up after the guards gave us special access cards like IF had.
"Okay, just like we planned."
"I've got this, don't worry!" Lan beats his chest and makes a peace sign.
"I believe in you!"
Just then the elevator dings and the doors open. We both step out and walk up to the door and give it a light knock.
"Come on in~!" I can hear Neptune's chipper voice from the otherside.
Lan and I look at each other and nod. We slowly open the door and are once again greeted by the insane amount of purple in the room.
My sister runs up to us and grabs us by the hands. "Good to see you again folks! You're just in time for our special guest today!" Special guest? Does she mean that Histy person?
"Um, good to see you too Neptune! Is it that Histy you were talking about yesterday?"
She drags us along to the couch in the room with the TV and I can see what looks like a girl sitting there.
"She's always here." My small purple headed sister replies. "We have another guest today too!" Oh no.
I look at Lan and our eyes meet. 'What do we do now!?' His eyes tell me.
'Maybe this won't be so bad! They could act as a buffer you know!?' Says my look.
'Like someone who could reign her in or be happy for us?'
I nod and Lan regains his composure.
When we're about to get close enough to see the girl more clearly, a small book flies in out of nowhere.
I didn't scream! "Nepgear!" The book talks!
Neptune lets go of our hands as the book speaks. "Histy!? You were still here?" Histy is a book!?
"What do you mean, Neptune!? As the Oracle of Planeptune, I tend to be here more often than not!" As the book turned to Neptune, I noticed there was a small blonde fairy looking girl on top of its pages.
"Ignoring her rudeness, It is good to see you again Nepgear. I am Histoire, the Oracle of Planeptune." She bows a little while sitting on her book.
What is this small cute creature!?
"Nice to meet you again, Histoire!" I do a little bow back to her.
"I'm Lan, I'm the one who found Lily, or Nepgear." Lan also introduces himself. Without any prompting! This is good!
Neptune and Histoire both perked up when he said this. "So you're the one who saved her life hmm?" Neptune came up and looked at him real close, examining every bit of him. A little too close for my comfort…
"You certainly don't look like anything special, but thanks to you I still have a sister. So, thanks!" She gives him a pat on the back.
Histoire sighs and looks exasperated. "Please excuse her behavior, we really are extremely grateful you brought her back to us." Nice, this is going smoothly.
"It's fine, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time."
"Nevertheless, you saved her. Planeptune will forever be in your debt." She is about to bow again, when Lan stops her.
"Don't worry, seriously. A handshake will do." With that, he takes her tiny hand and they shake on it.
She giggles and smiles. "If that is what you wish."
He's killing it!
"Neptune! Hurry up already!" The girl on the couch gets tired of waiting and calls out to us.
"Alright, alright! Don't get too excited!" With that Neptune leads us over to the couch and we get to meet yet another new person.
We both sit down, side by side. Across from us, on another couch is a young girl who looks to be maybe 18? She has red eyes, and long black twintails. Her outfit…looks crazy complicated. Compared to my sister's jersey dress, it looks like a lot. Seems hard to put on, honestly.
"Finally! The whole reason I came today was to see her!" she huffs at Neptune.
"Aww, and here I thought you came to see lil' ole me!"
"Wh-why would anyone want to spend time with you!" She mumbles something and then turns away.
"Riggghhht…" My sister looks at the both of us and *wink wink*. What is that supposed to mean?
"So…who is this?" I finally have to ask.
"Huh? What do you mean? It's only been 5 years! How could you forget me?"
I look at Neptune and give her an accusatory look. "Hey! Don't look at me like that! I haven't had time to explain!"
The raven haired girl looks at all of us very confused. "What's going on Neptune?" This might be a pain…
"I said stop looking at me like that Jr.! Your sister can feel the cold air from here…" I hope so.
Neptune begins to explain the situation to the girl sitting with us.
The more she explains, the more I can see her heart drop. It is a little worrisome of a story, but it should be okay now right?
"So, yeah, she has no memories of us or anyone…" Neptune looks a little sad at the end part there but finishes up by saying, "I don't mind though! Thanks to our buddy Lan here, she is alive and with us." As she says that she gives me a warm smile. Neptune… Thank you.
I turn my attention back to the girl, and she looks much worse for wear than I thought she would. Were we really close or something?
"What's your name, miss?" Maybe I can show her I'm alright or something…
She looks up at me and starts speaking hesitantly. "...It's Noire, like Neptune I'm a CPU. But of Lastation." I was friends with her?
"Well, Noire, my memories might be gone now, but both IF and Neptune both say that I'm pretty similar still. So don't worry! We can be friends again! I mean, if you'd like that…I mean. Um, basically I'm saying that everything will be alright!
It doesn't seem to work as she just sighs and puts her head in her hands.
"Listen, Nepgear. I am glad you're safe and back to us. All of us were worried sick about you. Neptune was…well, not in the best state either." I figured as much…
"Then why do you look so…blearghahfhg?" As Lan so aptly put it, she did look quite blearghahfhg.
"I don't look blearghahfhg! What does that even mean!?" She sighed and started again.
"It's about my sister, Uni." She has a sister too!
"Were the two of us close?" I'm guessing so since she's so out of sorts.
"That's um…one way to put it I guess." Why so vague?
At this point Neptune bopped her fist in her hand like she remembered something.
"Ohhhh yeahhhh, I kind of forgot about all that." About what?
"Hahh, I know you had a lot going on so I won't get too mad. Try and remember these important things though." Poor Noire, she seems terribly used to my sister.
"Well, to my sister you were…you know…" She does a little gesture(?) with her hands. What?
Lan sighs and leans in close to my ear. His breath tickles and he smells nice…wait, he's whispering in my ear. "You guys were a 'thing'". Oh? Oh. Ohhhhhhhhhhh. Ohhhhhh.
"W-w-w-" I take a second to take a few breaths. Fuuuu. "I was dating your sister!?"
She nods.
"I can't say I'm surprised that you had a lover, but…" Lan was a little shocked as well.
"I…am not sure what I'm supposed to do with this info." Genuinely. I will end up meeting her at some point. But what then? What should I say? How should we interact without hurting her?
"I just wanted to let you know, she will probably try to reconnect. Just…don't push her away? Please?" She looks really concerned for her sister. I feel for her. But…
"I'm not telling you to start dating you know? It's just you guys were happy, and she was so happy and you guys went through a bunch an-"
"Noire." Neptune stops her as she starts rambling.
"Ah. Sorry, this is probably a lot all of a sudden. Just…be nice to her?" If it's just that much…
"Sorry, Nepgear. I should've explained it better to everyone." Neptune gives me an apologetic face.
"It's okay, Neptune. I figured there would be some trouble somewhere. As for Uni, I guess I can-"
Before I finish my sentence, Lan stops me. People sure like to interrupt each other today! Before I can even give him a look he holds my hand.
"No." He states it very clearly.
Noire and Neptune both look a little shocked, but he continues. "Lily, I'm all for reconnecting with your old friends. However, giving her special treatment or extra kindness…I do not want to see that." Lan…
He…has a point. I have no intention of getting back together, nor do I wish to lead her on. I am already married, and I don't intend on hurting my husband like that.
He goes on. "Noire, I understand that you want things back to normal. But, that just isn't likely. I'm sorry."
"I'm just asking her to be a little kind is all! Why are you answering for her anyway? No one even knows you!" She's a little upset, I can take it fro-
"I'm her husband. Of course I don't want her cozying up to someone else."
….Woah. He just…went all in.
"Not to mention, the person in question isn't even here. I don't want to have a conversation like this without her present. So anything further on this matter should wait. Personally, I think only Lily and Uni should continue this on their own."
With that he neatly takes a staple gun to the matter. Annnnd the girls don't even look like they're all here.
"Lan, I don't think they're listening."
"Perfect, let's get outta here!" Whaaaa.
"Remember! Hit em' and run!" We're still doing that!?
"No way! You started it, so finish it!" I am not leaving them on a cliffhanger.
"Ughhhh, I used all my good lines already! What do I say now!?"
"Just slowly explain the situation, because it is quite a lot to swallow." A small voice behind us floats into our conversation.
"Miss Histoire! You heard us huh?"
"Yes, Lan. I don't know how anyone wouldn't." Well, we were pretty loud.
Lan looks a little antsy as he asks Histoire. "What do you think about it, you know, us?"
She sighs and looks at the two girls still frozen in shock. "I am not too keen on it if I'm being honest." Oof.
"I was aware of Uni and Nepgear's relationship as well. However, I am…happy that you're happy Nepgear. That is of the utmost importance."
"That…means a lot, Histoire." That makes me feel better, even if just a little.
"Of course. But, as the Oracle of Planeptune I do not believe this is in the best interest of the country." What?
Both Lan and I look at each other thinking the same thing.
"I will explain it another time, for now, it seems the ladies are coming to their senses." I am okay with that. Too much for one day.
Sure enough, the two CPU's started moving their faces in slow realization. They are going to scream for sure.
My sister recovers first and slowly looks between the two of us, and then to our hands.
"...M-m-matching rings!" Yes.
I look at my ring, it's a simple black wedding band with a slim purple outline. Lan made it himself you know!
"She's even grinning while she looks at it…" Uh, a-am I grinning?
I look at Lan and he looks at me as we both wait for the inevitable.
"They even communicate with their eyes!" Now It doesn't even make sense.
"THEY'RE MARRIED!" There it is.
She slams her face on the little coffee table between us. …I'm sure she'll be fine.
"Is this…real?" Noire snaps back as well and starts pinching herself and looking all over herself.
Could they be…any more dramatic? I don't think it's THAT big of a deal.
Neptune lifts her face as if she read my mind and screams at us again. "IT'S A HUUUGEEE DEAL!"
"I mean, yeah, but-" I try to get a word in, to no avail.
"MY SISTER! Who I've just met again, comes to me with a man! And they're married!? Huge news there bucko! I don't even know what I'm supposed to do now!" Uhhhh
"Sorry we had to drop it on you like that Big Sister but…" Lan!? What are you saying!?
"NOOOOOOOOOOO! DON'T SAY ITTTTT!" I knew it.
Lan looks genuinely confused. How?
"I-uh-thought that was how this works?" In what world!?
"IN WHAT WORLD!?" That's what I said.
"N-N-Neptune, I think I might need you to hit me as hard as you can." Noire, you need some milk.
"No! It's alright Noire! This is reality!" Neptune grabs her shoulders and tries to calm her down.
Neptune looks at Lan, with…um, I couldn't tell you what that face means.
"You!" She suddenly shouts.
"Yuh. What is ailing you, citizen?" He is breaking!
"You are what's ailing me! If you weren't the one who saved her life I would…! Ahhhhgggg!"
"I take it that…I don't have your blessing then?"
"...grrrrrrr." She clenches her fists and teeth, and looks at me?
"Nepgear…?" Oh man, she is…upsetti spaghetti for sure.
"Um, yeah?" I can hear my voice squeak!
"...Do you…like, actually like this…" She does some vague pointing gestures towards Lan. "Plain-looking guy?"
"He isn't plain! More than 'like' y-you know, I uh, kind of…" I try to say the rest but it just comes out as mumbles.
"I need it loud and clear or I will actually beat him into the dirt." Goodness no! Ugh, I can do it.
"I wouldn't have married him if I didn't love him…" So embarrassing!
"Guha!?" IF made that same sound the other day…
"I-I see, guh…" I'm not sure what it is, but I guess it's painful.
"Then I have…no choice!" She slowly reaches her hand out and takes a goofy pose while looking away from us.
Lan looks at the outstretched hand, then looks to me, then back to the hand.
DO NOT GIVE HER A HIGH-FIVE RIGHT NOW! I try to send that clear as possible in my face.
Luckily, Lan understands and grasps her hand while also mimicking her pose. …He's trying, truly, I promise you.
"Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." The longest ugh thus far. She looks truly disgusted.
"I…guh…don't hnngg…mind it!" For real!?
Lan and I turn to each other arms wide…and give each other high fives.
"Awww yeahhhhh!"
"We did it Lan! And you didn't die!"
"What can I say? I'm quite convincing!" Sure! Whatever makes you feel better!
Neptune sighs and sits back down looking dead tired. Noire on the other hand…
"You're accepting it just like that!?" Ahhh right.
"It…really isn't up to me to decide that stuff you know? Even though I hate it. Even though I hate! It!" She made it pretty clear.
"That's…" Noire looks down at her hands again.
She sighs and looks back up to us. "I'm sorry for earlier. And…Congratulations, you two." She smiles at us and then stands up.
"Hahhh, I think I'll head home now. I'm way too exhausted now." She starts heading towards the door before she stops and does a quick turn around.
"Nepgear, Uni will be at the meeting we're holding here in a few days. I promise I won't tell her much beyond that you lost your memories."
"You're a good sister, Noire." I can't help but feel that way after all this.
"O-o-of course! I need to take care of my successor!" With a 'Hmph' she heads out the door. Which leaves me and Lan with Neptune and Histoire.
How has it only been an hour!? It feels like it's been 3 days!
At this point Lan speaks up. "Miss Neptune…" Miss? "What was that about a meeting?" Oh! I forgot about that already!
"Hnnmmuughhnammunya." What. She must be really tired. Guess we'll have to ask-
"I see, thanks." ?
"Lan, don't just give up. Let's ask Histoire."
"Hmm? She said the CPU's are all coming here to see you again as well as what to do going forward. Right Miss Neptune?"
She gives a thumbs up and then passes out.
"I guess… that's that?" How did he-
"We should probably start heading home, Lily. I think Miss Neptune needs some, uhh, time."
"Yeah…I think you're right." She is literally snoozing.
"We can deal with…whatever it is we have to, later."
"Yup."
I am curious though.
As we say goodbye to Histoire and start the ride back down to the lobby, I have to ask.
"So…" I grab onto Lan's sleeve. "How do you, um, feel about all that?" I wasn't that worried, really. Just…a little anxious I guess.
"Tired." Not what I wanted.
"I know that, you goofball!" I sigh and try again. "I mean, you know, about my past relationship…and stuff."
"Ohhhh, yeahh that. Hmm." He had to think for a good minute, and we reached the ground floor.
As we walked out the exit he gave me his answer. "I think it's nice I get to learn more about you."
That's his takeaway from all that?
"You aren't bothered at all by it? The fact I was in a committed relationship? With a woman you know nothing about?"
"Hmm, no. Can't say I am." Really?
He continued "Lily, the past is…complicated and messy. Especially yours." Yours is equally so!
"All that matters to me, is what we got going on right now. I think it's rad to learn about your past. Think about all the extra ammo I get to make fun of you with!"
"Whaaaat!? No you are not!"
"I CAN NOT, wait, to meet Uni. So many ways I can tease you with this new info." He's already scheming!
"This suuuuckkkssssss!"
"It's payback for all you would do to me! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!" His maniacal laughter echoes in the street as he prances away back to the hotel.
No! He can't! All the times I made him cringe with the stories he told me! He can finally return the favor!
"Nooooooooooo!" I chase after his echoes all the way back to the hotel.
This week is going to be rough.
I did itttt. Hooray. Yeah, I'm sure a lot of you guys saw it coming hahaha. I tried to take it a little bit different direction though, with a nosy Noire. What a good girl. 10/10. Anyway, this one is twice as long as the others. Wasn't on purpose, just kept going. Lan is a little too optimistic about meeting Uni. Or maybe oblivious? Pretty sure he just wants to wing it and anything that happens he can just laugh it off with Lily later. I am a little nervous for them though. Lily and Uni have to talk it out, otherwise things will get suuuper weird. I thought about putting Uni here, but I was like, I feel like she needs to sort some stuff out? It HAS been 5 years. I hope she isn't too mad. Anyway, next up will probably be something with Lan and Neptune. That needs sorting.