Hyperdimension Neptunia
Nepgear: A Savior's Tale
Chapter Two: New Opportunity, New Purpose
"Wh... What did you just say?" Rei asked Nepgear, her mouth agape in disbelief.
"You heard me, Rei. I want you to work here." Nepgear answered honestly.
Just this afternoon, she was out in the streets trying to pass along pamphlets for making her Citizen's Group, which ended in disaster just before her meeting with the Goddess herself. Next thing she knows, she was just offered a job from the Goddess herself. Rei would've expected CPU Nepgear to tell her to stop. Or that her actions were punishable by death... or if said CPU told her she loved her... Loved to Death?
Anyway, it was plain to see that Nepgear was indeed serious about the job offer, so the first thing that came out of Rei's mouth was "Wh-Why...? Why are you offering me this?"
"Do I need a reason to help someone in need?" Nepgear said without thinking.
Rei silently admitted to herself that Nepgear wasn't wrong. But something in Rei bugged her a little. She felt like she wasn't ready to work under a CPU of all people.
Rei let out a deep breath as she calmed herself down, "Haaa... I... really appreciate the offer, Lady Lilac Heart..." Rei looked Nepgear in the eye, "But... I have to say no. My failure of an organization was directed against you to begin with, and I'm sure you know why else I'd be unsuited for whatever job you have for me." She stood up and bowed to Nepgear, "Thank you for dinner, Lady CPU." Rei walked past Nepgear and walked away.
"Rei, wait!" Nepgear called out when Rei was near the elevator. Rei looked behind her just in time to see Nepgear toss a pudding cup at her. Upon catching the pudding cup, Rei looked confused at the CPU, "Why did you-"
"A gift from the CPU of Planeptune." Nepgear answered Rei before the question was asked, "Oh, and if you ever change your mind, tell the staff that Next Lilac offered you a job. We have free breakfast."
"We'll... see what happens." Rei said before she walked into the open elevator and rode it down.
During the ride down, Rei took some time to think. She looked down at her pudding cup and, while she just shared dinner with a CPU and Oracle, was unable to recall a time she even had anything remotely close to dessert. Rei also used the slow descent to the ground floor of the Basilicom to reflect upon the treatment she received from Nepgear. Nothing like a power-hungry tyrant or lazyboned brat that she heard about previous Planeptune CPUs before Nepgear's reign.
As Rei left the Basilicom, she walked around outside and, once she was 100% sure the staff members were out of earshot, said to herself, "I started the Citizen's Group to ensure of a world where we didn't have to rely on goddesses to build our nations and make something out of the world we live in. I don't want humanity to solely rely on the CPUs..." Rei looked back at the towering Basilicom she was walking away from, "But the CPU... Lady Nepgear... she was kind, generous, compassionate... a little too analytical in some areas, but still... it makes me wonder... was I wrong about the goddess this whole time?"
As Rei turned to face where she was going, she saw a few small pamphlets being blown into the nightly breeze. Judging from the torn-up state the pamphlets were in, Rei deduced that those were the ones she made last night... and were then destroyed by the incompompetense of a random, no-named NPC earlier today. It was that reminder of today's events along with the recollection of Rei's meeting/dinner with Nepgear that made the human realize...
"...I've made a terrible mistake."
"Haaaa- Omm!" was the noise that came from CFW Purple Heart as she sat at the table and ate one of the pudding cups leftover from dinner. Back when the Criminal of the Free World was known as the Console Patron Unit: Neptune, Purple Heart has long purple hair in twin tails that almost reaches her feet and bright blue eyes with white pupils in the shape of power signs. She wears black hair clips with glowing blue D-Pad shapes on them, and a black body suit that exposes her chest somewhat. Both of the bodysuit's shoulder areas contain a white outlined D-pad symbol and the arm areas contain purple along the sides while the front of the bodysuit also contains purple areas near the bottom. On the breast areas you can see a single purple strip. Purple Heart's leg-wear seems as though it is the same as her human forms only it appears as black boots with purple tips instead.
Over the years, CFW Purple Heart's appearance still resembles her CPU self, but with much more stylization and design... as well as a larger chest size. Her hair and hair clips remain the same while her bodysuit, while still black, has purple and blue lining all around the torso and arms. The middle of the torso has purple mesh, allowing a vague vertical view of her stomach. She also wears thigh high boots with octagon patterns on the side at the very top; one filled with purple and another with just a white outline.
"Mmmmmmm! Nothing like a fresh cup of pudding to melt the tension away!" CFW Purple Heart said out loud with a Neptune-esque smile on her face.
"I definitely see why you CPUs like this stuff." Arfoire said from across the table as she took a bite out of her own custard pudding, the leftover noodles and curly fries being shared by her and CFW Purple Heart.
This Arfoire, known as the Deity of Sin that Nepgear defeated years prior, was given a human form thanks to the Share Energy used to tame her. In her new form, Arfoire takes on a witch-like appearance. She has very pale skin, almost appearing to be a pale light purple. Her hair is also a light shade of purple, being styled in a short haircut with one long bang to the side. Her apparel consists of a black witch hat with thorns circling it with two different shaded purple flowers on them, and feathers sticking off to the side. Her outfit itself is a black, revealing dress with purple stripes along the cuffs and torso area, as well as a belt to hold it together. Arfoire also has a purple ragged cape draped over her shoulders. She wears black high heels with cuffs, and her pants are black with a cross decoration to match the dress.
"Hard to believe you've never had pudding until now." CFW Purple Heart said to Arfoire, "Has Nepgear never fed you any?"
"It's more like there's no pudding left for me after you're done with them." Arfoire complained to her 'roommate'. CFW Purple Heart shrugs her shoulders and gives a smug look, "Hey. Can't get enough of these things."
"It's rare to actually see you two getting along so well." Histoire spoke up as she floated by the two darker entities of Planeptune. Arfoire replied with a casual statement, "You hardly see us out of that bracelet at all, Histoire."
"How come we don't get together out here more often?" CFW Purple Heart commented, "If Nepgear wanted to, we could spend a long time out in the open and not run out of energy."
"The only problem with that is the people would think Neptune came back and is plotting to take control of Planeptune from me." Nepgear spoke up after finishing the dish duties and walking over to her 3 companions, the letters on her bracelet losing it's purple glow and is a pitch black color in contrast with the rest of the bracelet, "We can't give the people any misunderstandings about why their CPU has the Deity of Sin and a corrupted version of my sister here in Planeptune."
"I wouldn't put it past the wackos around here, based on my own reign as the Deity of Sin a long time ago." Arfoire said while biting into more of her pudding before her gaze turns to Nepgear, "Speaking of wackos, your new friend's probably scratching her head on what you meant by Next Lilac as we speak."
"Oooh, finally got that name changed from Next Sister, Nepgear?" CFW Purple heart chimed in, "Where do you come up with such *wonderful* ideas like that one?"
"...You're messing with me, aren't you Sis?" Nepgear asked, knowing full well what CFW Purple Heart's teasing voice sounds like thanks to her experience dealing with Neptune in the past.
"I think what Purple Heart and Arfoire are trying to say is..." Histoire floated by Nepgear's side, "Are you sure offering a job to Rei was a good idea?"
"I felt like it was the right thing to do, that's all." Nepgear said with a tone that sounded sure of herself, "She's not working, can barely feed herself, and the roof over her head is on the verge of collapse. Of course I had to offer *something* to help her. Where's the problem, ladies?"
"Maybe the way you described your more recent nightmares can answer that for us." Histoire said as she flew in front of Nepgear and recited from memory, "*Ahem!* I was bleeding and crying at the sight of all the stars that had lost their shine, along with the destruction and annihilation of everything I knew and loved. After burying the youngest of them, only two stars remained: I, and a new one. I grab my weapon and prepare to meet my demise at the hands of the one responsible, all the time a name ringing on my head… the Goddess of Tari: Cyan Heart."
"That's the nightmare you were practically crying to Histy about, wasn't it?" CFW Purple Heart asked the stunned Nepgear, "The description of what this Cyan Heart looked like matches that Rei girl pretty closely."
Arfoire nodded before she chimed in, "I even heard you say something about you having a nightmare about you using Gehaburn to kill the other CPUs. So you seemed to think that this Tari fiasco is another dream of the future, engraved into your subconscious to make you paranoid."
"..." Nepgear didn't say anything, as she seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then she looked back up and spoke softly, "Uh, girls...?" Her voice got the attention of all 3 present in the room as they turned their heads to meet Nepgear's gaze.
"...Was that nightmare before or after Arfoire infected my body and drove me insane?" Nepgear asked while tilting her head in confusion.
"GAAAAAAAH!" Arfoire and CFW Purple Heart yelled out while they face-faulted off the couch, while Histoire furiously rubs her hands on her blond hair while groaning, "Urrrgh... Nepgear...! I know we're at peace, but this is not something to joke about!"
"I-I'm sorry! I don't remember *everything* about what nightmares I have!" Nepgear said in a flabbergasted tone, "Especially around a time where I've been taken over by the Deity of Sin!"
Arfoire groaned as she put a head on her forehead, "Urrgh... I honestly think it'd be better if I went back to her body early. It's better than having this conversation with a memory lapsed CPU."
"Urgh, same. I would *much* rather sleep through this instead of recounting the tale to Gear." CFW Purple Heart said out loud. This caused Histoire to let out a sigh, "Haaa... The sad thing is, that's your best unintentional callback to Neptune yet."
Nepgear walked to CFW Purple Heart and Arfoire with a sheepish smile on her face, "Hey now, look on the bright side of all this: That nightmare I had was believed to be a cryptic message of the distant future, right? Surely it'll only come true if I do nothing about it. So, all I gotta do is... well, something. Keep my friends from dying or keep Rei in check in case something happens to her."
"..." The other three ladies in the room looked at each other before letting out a sigh, "Haaaaa!" As technically, Nepgear's common sense isn't wrong. Histoire held her hands up in surrender, "We can continue tomorrow. It's gotten rather late tonight."
"Right. Time to hit the hay." CFW Purple Heart said as she waves at everyone, "Nighty-night, everyone."
"Back at ya." Arfoire tips her witch's hat at her companions, "Oh, and thanks for the leftovers."
After Arfoire gave her thanks, her body & CFW Purple Heart's glowed a bright purple color before the light burst into data and flew back into Nepgear's bracelet, the letters PH and A glowing a soft purple again. With that, Nepgear looked at Histoire once more before making her way to her room, "Thanks again for making dinner. I guess I'll call it a night as well. Goodnight."
"That would be wise. Goodnight, Nepgear." Histoire said as Nepgear walked past her. Once she made sure she was alone in the living room, Histoire turned the living room lights off and floated down to the couch and her book descended next to the left armrest, the book's crease nesting along the edge of the cushion, "There. That should hold me over for the night." Histoire said as she hopped off her book and stood on the couch cushion.
Turning around, Histoire then snaps her fingers and a small pillow and a blanket the size of a napkin appears above her and they land on her book. Histoire climbs onto her makeshift bed and places the pillow above the page of her book that's propped on the armrest before pressing the back of her head against the pillow, "Ahhhhhh..." Histoire pulls the napkin sized blanket she made and closes her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep, "Zzzzzzzz..."
Flashback...?
"Zzzzzzzzz... ...Nnnngh...!" Histoire's eyes opened as she heard a loud noise nearby. Blinking a few times, Histoire looked around and found herself in Nepgear's room. Histoire tilts her head to her right, "Huh? I could've sworn I slept on the couch. Did I sleep float?"
"H-Histoire...?" Nepgear's voice was heard close by and she saw Nepgear, held down to her bed in chains. Histoire's senses were on autopilot as her book flew to the CPU, "Nepgear! Don't move! I'll have those chains off in-"
"Don't kid yourself, Oracle." Nepgear said in an ominous tone, "The CPU's friends caught on to my presence in this body and locked her up. Freeing the girl would surely spell doom for all of Gamindustri."
"You...! Arfoire?!" Histoire suddenly remembered what had happened that night, "You actually managed to take full control of Nepgear's body?!"
"Why yes, Histoire. Your precious CPU obeys my will now." Arfoire's words came out in Nepgear's voice, a blissfully malicious tone from the lips of the CPU, "I've never felt power such as hers. Those Share things really work wonders to the body of a CPU. It's ironic, really. Taking a CPU's body means I've become the thing I aimed to destroy. And yet, I've never felt more at home."
"Get out of her right now, Deity of Sin!" Histoire shouted as her hands were held out in front of Arfoire, "Otherwise, as the Oracle of Planeptune, I will be left no choice but to force your spirit out of her myself!"
"Exorcism, eh? How do you plan on doing that?" Arfoire asked Histoire darkly, "No... the real question is... how *long* will it take you to perform the ritual?"
"Huh?" Histoire's eyes widened at that question, "...Th-Three days at max would be effecti-"
"No it wouldn't. Even *you* cannot wait that long to drive me away from her body." Arfoire taunted while interrupting Histoire, "Three agonizing days just waiting for your precious CPU Nepgear to be restored to her former self. But by the time you have everything you need, I'd have practically solidified my symbiotic bond with her already. Making *your* job much harder than it already is. Is that worth the wait? Can you handle three days with Nepgear bound to my malice?"
"...!" Histoire froze up at Arfoire's words, her actions halted by the words spoken by the Deity of Sin. To the humans of Gamindustri, Planeptune especially, it *was* true that Histoire took too long to do... anything productive. She'd take three days, three weeks, three months, even three years depending on the task. Histoire heard those complaints and then some throughout both her jobs as Planeptune's Oracle and the Planeptune Guild's manager, but not once has she taken the time to stop and reflect on those words. She was always busy with maintaining the Planeptune workload, especially when Neptune would refuse to do so much as one quest for the day and pushed her and Nepgear out of her room. She still remembers the former CPU's tantrum when Histoire threatened to replace Neptune's pudding shipment with Eggplants. A mistake Histoire would never repeat again if she wanted to keep her job as Oracle... or at least make sure Neptune did her job on occasion.
"You got quiet, Histy. Run out of futile heroic quips without Neptune as a coach?" Arfoire used Nepgear's sweet voice to disrupt Histoire's train of thought while mocking her at the same time, "Or have you come to terms with your own faults and severe limitations? Because when the going gets tough, your three day limit is exactly what you are to those you love. The way I would describe you in ten words or less is as follows." Nepgear's face formed a sadistic smirk as Arfoire spoke, "Worthless, bossy, time consuming, and above all, completely... utterly... useless!"
"No... no!" Histoire yelled out, "This is... so my powers are not used for evil. To rewrite history... to erase Gamindustri at its core... That cannot be allowed under any circumstances!"
"Ahh... Hmhmhmhm. That's right." Arfoire chuckled darkly, "You placed those limits upon yourself... When you were first created by the first CPUs. ...And look what those security measures got you now!" Arfoire's words rang out as Nepgear's body shone a bright purple, then four beams of light (purple, green, black, and orange) erupted from Nepgear, all while Arfoire laughed maniacally, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"I-It can't be...!" Histoire's eyes widened as the beams of light took shape, forming Four all-too-familiar Felons. The Four Felons to be exact: Magic, Judge, Trick, and even Brave.
"How can you expect to save your CPU in three days, when you won't be able to live through one ?!" Arfoire asked Histoire mockingly before she ordered her felons, "Destroy the Oracle, my four felons!"
"Yes, Lady Arfoire!" All four CFWs yelled out before they all lunged at the terrified Histoire. Histoire then saw Magic's staff, Brave's sword, Trick's tongue, and Judge's war hammer all aiming at her small, powerless form. Histoire raised her arms to defend herself, but she knew all too well that any form of attack would arrive too late, "Hrrrgh...! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
"WAAAH!" Histoire screamed as she sat up on her book, panting heavily as she held a hand over her heart, "Haaaa... haaaa... haaaa..." Histoire looked around and found herself in the living room of Nepgear's Basilicom, the analog clock on the wall above the TV saying 5:36, signifying it was early in the morning.
"Right where I thought I was... before that dream..." Histoire looked at her shaking hands, "But that dream... It was when Arfoire had regained most of her powers and took control of Nepgear... I was reliving that day through a nightmare. ...But why? Why that day... where I couldn't be the one to save her...?"
Histoire had tears forming in her eyes as she recalled what had happened in both her dream, and the day it actually happened, "That day... where I was finally deemed useless to all of Gamindustri... thanks to the limiters I placed upon myself..." Histoire's hands covered her face as she started to cry, "Unh... I-If only... I was more useful... then none of that would've happened... We'd have never had to risk... losing both CPUs to Arfoire... I wouldn't take three years just to save *one* of the CPUs that Magic captured... And... unh! If... if I could've... done something important, or was given enough time... then... then...!"
Histoire shook a bit as she struggled through her own feelings, before she grabbed her pillow behind her while finally screaming at the top of her lungs, "THEN NEPTUNE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!"
A surprisingly loud bang was heard as Histoire's pillow hit the elevator and landed on the floor in front of the elevator. Though her fit of rage was momentary, Histoire slumped down and fell from her book. She recalled both her nightmare, and what actually happened that day, and she buried her face into her purple sleeves and let out her tears through muffled crying, "Mmmmmmmm! Unnh... Nnnnnnh...! U-Unh... N-Neptune...! Why couldn't we... save you...?"
It wasn't a secret that Histoire would grieve over the loss of CPU Neptune to this day, especially after nearly losing Nepgear the same way. Luckily, in the real version of the nightmare, Histoire's pleas for help reached the ears of Guild Agent IF, or Iffy as her close friends called her, who saved the Oracle from Arfoire's magic and contacted the other CPUs as soon as she heard what happened to Nepgear. It did take Histoire a while to tell IF about Nepgear's condition and connection with Arfoire, but those three hours were spent waiting on the CPUs, as well as Nurse-In-Training Compa, to arrive on the scene. Rom & Ram froze Arfoire's offenses while IF and Vert pinned Nepgear's body to the bed when the chains were accidentally undone, and Uni wasted no time in going with Histoire to the Sharicite room. When Arfoire couldn't be held down, Blanc and Compa kept her busy without hurting Nepgear, with Noire left on lookout for her sister. When it looked like Arfoire couldn't be held back longer, it seemed that the situation was truly hopeless, when Uni bust into the room with a Paralysis Shot from her gun, stunning Arfoire long enough for her and Histoire to bring a piece of Nepgear's Sharicite to her body, as well as a Share Crystal necklace just in case. This was done in order to render Arfoire nearly powerless, weak enough for CFW Purple Heart to dissolve Arfoire's hold on Nepgear and free the CPU of Planeptune from Arfoire's control.
Despite her contributions to saving Nepgear, Histoire soon learned that Arfoire was right. She takes way too long to accomplish anything, and her track record would've meant that it was only a matter of time before Nepgear is gone from the world, leaving Planeptune without a goddess and the nation doomed to ruin. Which led to Histoire asking Nepgear to upgrade her past her own limitations while also ensuring her power was never to be used for evil.
And while those performance upgrades bore fruit, Histoire herself never truly recovered from the angst and guilt that ate away at her from inside.
Neptune's Gravesite
Histoire wasn't the only one who still grieved over the past.
Within a dense forest that was accessible behind the Planeptune Basilicom, its entrance guarded by the staff actually, Nepgear was walking by with two cups of pudding in her hands. She would often wake up and get dressed, prepped, and ready for the new day: Be it for work, play, and anything in between. But this was one spot she would always visit early in the morning: the grave of her beloved older sister.
The gravesite was an open clearing at the end of a monster free road (Nepgear made absolute sure monsters wouldn't come by this part of the forest) that held a gray tombstone, decorated with purple paint and had two pictures carved in and colored on. One was Neptune's human form, and the other was her form as Purple Heart. Over the pictures were the words: "Planeptune CPU Neptune/Purple Heart: Fun loving, full of energy, pudding lover, Neptunia series mascot. May her soul rest in peace, and her memory live on in the hearts of Gamindustri's citizens and goddesses."
"Morning, Neptune. I'm back with your favorite." Nepgear said as she knelt down to the grave, placing one of the pudding cups down as an offering, sitting down as she peeled the lid off the other one, eating it with the spoon that was sealed along the inside of the lid. Nepgear always made it a point to share a pudding cup with her sister, even with one of them in the afterlife, as Gear felt like it was the least she can do to preserve Neptune's memory for who she was: a well-loved, albeit lazy, CPU of the nation that made the Gamindustri everyone knew and loved and sought out nothing but happiness and fun for all around the world. ...Maybe the no-fun aspect of her job was why she hated work so passionately? Nepgear could see that.
"You wouldn't believe what all happened yesterday, big sis. Earlier around noon, I was able to finish my new Striker unit and got it up and running. I think I told you before, but the Striker focuses on mid to long range combat and utilizes guns. It kinda works like Uni's skill set with guns, and I'm working on making enough processor Units for everyone." Nepgear said quietly yet casually while eating through her pudding cup, "Oh and I met up with Rei Ryghts yesterday too, though I only found her because she was screaming so loud as I was walking by. I thought she was gonna be kinda mean considering the aim of her Citizen's Group, but she wasn't anything like that at all. In fact, from what I could make out from her destroyed pamphlets, I found that she had no ill intent in her cause at all... even if it wasn't doing so hot in the first place."
Nepgear looked up at the sky as she continued, "After dinner, I even offered Rei a job here at the Basilicom, to make her life a bit easier on her. While my offer was turned down, I don't think it's the last I'll see of Rei Ryghts. At least, I hope not." After a brief silence, she looks back at Neptune's gravestone with her picture on the front, "...Oh, almost forgot. I should be able to complete that sword today if things turn out okay. I'm sure I told you about that little secret project already, when I dug around the remains of Gamindustri Graveyard for what was left of Gehaburn. Like the Gehaburn, the final product is meant to be a last resort. But hopefully I can use it for doing more good than evil this time around."
As soon as she finished her pudding cup, Nepgear heard a faint banging sound from the Goddess' Living Room floor of the Basilicom close by the forest. She stood up from the dirt and said out loud, "Guess I better see what's happening back at the Basilicom. I should probably get some more work done early if I want the free time for my projects today. ...I know, it's always all play and no work for you, but I promise I'm making more playtime after the boring work's over and done with. Anyway, same time tomorrow. Bye, Neptune!" With that, Nepgear ran off from the gravesite, waving bye with her free hand.
CPU's Office, 11:00 AM
In her office, Nepgear had a pile of today's paperwork laid out in front of her that she was working on, which was gathered after investigating why a pillow was on the floor in front of a dented elevator door. To the side of the paperwork Nepgear worked on appeared to be a manga telling the tale of Nepgear's journey, called "Savior's Tale". ...Geez, if that doesn't break the fourth wall, who knows what will?
Anyways, the manga recounted everything about Nepgear's journey to save the captured CPUs with the other Candidates and defeat the Deity of Sin that plagued the world years ago. The author interviewed each of the goddesses and was given permission to publish their experiences into said manga. Sure, a few things were changed like some of the characters' identities and appearances such as IF and Compa, and the exclusion of Nisa and Gust who were in the true story it's based on (no one asked why), but such is the fate of any form of media based on true stories. Still, there was even a movie made based on the manga that Nepgear watched with her partner and closest friends. She handled the movie quite well, and even gave her public opinion on both it and the manga, including what she liked about both and which she would pick if she had to choose one over the other.
"The fact that you have paperwork and a manga out makes me question if you're actually doing your work, or are dedicating that time to a manga."
"Hey, don't think I can't do both. I'll have you know, I'm quite the multitasker-" Nepgear's words were interrupted when she looked up and saw who spoke to her, "H-Histoire?! I haven't seen you all morning! What happened? And why do your eyes look red?"
Histoire wiped her face as she gave a soft smile, "It's nothing... I just had a rough night last night. Really, I'm perfectly fine."
"I'm not 100% sure... You look like you were crying about something." Nepgear stood from her chair and eyes her Oracle, "Histoire, we're more than just the CPU and her Oracle. We're partners. We agreed to work on maintaining our nation together. So for goodness sake, tell me what's wrong."
Histoire looked back at Nepgear, knowing exactly how the CPU gets when no one would tell her how they really felt about something that bugged the other person (just ask Uni), "...F-Fine... Nepgear, I-"
"LADY NEPGEAR! I GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT!" A gruff, loud voice rang out through the speakers of Nepgear's office, causing the CPU and Oracle to cover their ears. Less than a minute passes and Nepgear presses a button on the Office Phone while her other hand still covers one of her ears, "OW! Kinda in the middle of something, Judge!"
"S-Sorry! We've got an unusual visitor!" The toned down yet still loud speaking voice of CFW Judge spoke, "Some blue hair chick's here asking about a Next Lilac offering her a-"
"Send her up immediately!" Nepgear said in an overexcited tone, stunning everyone overhearing the call on the other end momentarily.
"A-As you say, Lady Nepgear!" Judge said with a startled stutter before ending the call.
Nepgear let go of the button on her phone and looked at Histoire, "Um... sorry, Histoire. We're not done here, but-"
Histoire held her hand up to stop Nepgear, "Don't worry. I'll handle the paperwork from here. As you said... we're partners. Now go get her, tiger!"
"R-Right! Thank you, Histy!" Nepgear said before she walked off to greet her new employee... potentially.
Histoire floated to Nepgear's desk and, using a bit of her magical ability, lifted the pen from the desk and steadily wrote on the paper document. All the while, Histoire's eyes darted to the Savior's Tale manga, "...What was Nepgear reading, anyway?"
Ding!
The elevator door opens and Rei Ryghts walks back into the living room she left from last night. Holding her left arm with her right hand in a shy manner, Rei looked up and saw Nepgear sitting on the couch. The human took a deep breath before she spoke up, "L-Lady Nepgear..."
"You came back sooner than I expected, Rei. I expected you to think things over for a few days." Nepgear said with a smile, "Oh, let me guess. Did you enjoy the pudding I gave you and couldn't wait to try more of it?"
"T-The pudding was... delicious..." Rei admitted before she looked up, "But no. I'm here about... your offer."
"Oh? What about it?" Nepgear asked and tilted her head in an unintentionally teasing way.
Rei took a deep breath, "Haaaaa..." Then, she asked while looking at Nepgear straight in the eye, "Can... Can I still take the job?"
Shortly after Rei asked that, Nepgear smiled warmly as she stood up. Then, walking to Rei, Nepgear wrapped her arms around the human and pulled her into a warm embrace, "Welcome aboard, Rei Ryghts. I look forward to working with you."
Rei hesitantly hugged Nepgear back as she said softly, "Th... Thank you... Lady Nepgear."
"You don't have to be *that* formal with me anymore, Rei. Just Nepgear is perfectly fine." Nepgear said to Rei casually. To that, Rei responded with, "Y-Yes, Lad- er... Miss Nepgear."
"Hmm, close enough." Nepgear said in satisfaction before moving away, "Now come on. You must be hungry after making it all this way over here on foot."
"Ah, yes... Thank you." Rei said as Nepgear went into the kitchen. Rei then perks up and follows after her, "H-Hey wait! How did you know I walked all that way here?!"
Nepgear's voice rang out in the kitchen, "Morning patrol!"
"That should cover it... for now." Histoire said as she finished up her part of the paperwork. Histoire floated down and sat on the desk to rest her energy. She let out a breath as she stared at the ceiling, "Now that I've been unable to lecture her or Nepgear, I'm actually starting to see what Neptune hates about her own job... even if it is important for a CPU to get *all* of her work done." Histoire said as she sat up and turned around, watching the view outside for a moment, "Hmmmm... A lovely view outside. I do wish all days could be as gorgeous as- ...Huh?"
Histoire noticed a silhouette flying into the forest close by Planeptune Basilicom. From Histoire's perspective, the silhouette appeared to be one of the CPUs... but she couldn't seem to tell who it was from the distance the figure was from Histoire's line of sight. Fearing Neptune's gravesite being defiled, Histoire floats up on her book and flies out of the room, "Curse my limited fairy sight...! I've got to notify Nep-"
SMACK!
"GUAH!" Histoire smacked into the door and fell down face first on the floor. Histoire laid on the floor for a minute before she pushed herself up with her hands, and then glanced up at the door above her, "...Mmmmmmm!" Histoire growled as she slammed her small hands on the floor, "When is Neptune going to make that Histy Door like she promised she woul- ...Oh right, she can't."
As Histoire turned her gaze to the outside window, she pondered to herself, "Speaking of Neptune... Who could be visiting her at a time like this?"