4oh boi, slightly longer than i had anticipated
also happy birthday kuletxcore ! !
"So, what do you think, Blanc?" The group has been enjoying the fruits of Vert's, Nepgear's, Financier's, and possibly Neptune's labor, and for the most part, Blanc has been nearly completely silent among them all. While Nepgear and Vert would make small talk to Rom and Ram every so often, Blanc was probably more interested in the large dining room around her and its somewhat-barren yet still high-class decor. She is currently making many glances behind her through the many large windows, revealing a scenic view of Lowee at night. Below the snowfall with an undefined end, lights of every color among the oddly yet delightfully designed houses, buildings, and other gathering spots shine brightly. It is like any other day in the northern nation, but it is still a sight to behold to the amnesiac.
"It's...beautiful…" Blanc accidentally murmurs her thoughts. She then goes into a near-daydream state imagining how imaginative and hard-working her past self was to construct this wonderland...until she realizes that whatever she thinks of herself before will be the shoes she's going to have to fill.
"R-really? I knew I was kinda sloppy with the presentation, but thank you!" responds Nepgear. "But, well, I guess I sorta already said it: do you think it tastes good?"
Not hearing her question, Blanc continues falling deeper into her own thoughts of her past and troubling speculations of the future.
"Um, Blanc?" From Nepgear's perspective, she can only see a head with brown hair nod very slightly with trace amounts of anxiousness in her movements.
"Hey, Blanc, can I have the rest of your steak if you're not gonna finish it?" shouts Ram, who is sitting right next to her.
To no one's surprise, this startles her sister greatly. "Uwa?!" She cries out before toppling away from Ram.
Thankfully, Rom is ready to catch her. Well, it's more like she had better been ready to do so unless she wanted to get squished. Nevertheless, despite not having a fraction of Blanc's strength, she successfully catches her in a hug. "Are you okay, Blanc?"
"I'm-I'm sorry!" She shouts instead of actually answering Rom's question. She tries to make herself less of a nuisance by recoiling out of Rom's hands, but becomes surprised when Rom doesn't let go.
"No, Blanc! You have to tell me if you're okay!"
"Hmm, pretty unexpected coming from little Rom." Vert vocalizes everyone's thoughts, including her twin sister.
After Blanc takes an extended period of time to process what Rom wants, she finally answers, "Yep, I'm fine!" before adding a quieter "Thank you for asking…" and returning the hug.
"Hey, let me in on the group hug!" Ram calls out, who has already forgotten who caused this whole scene as she goes for Blanc from the back.
"How adorable!" Vert can't help but utter this remark from the other side of the table.
"Yeah; at least we know how Blanc was a lot like Rom in the beginning, which is kinda reassuring." Nepgear adds.
"Mm? How so?"
"Well, when I was born...aw, it's too embarrassing!" She quickly turns away from Vert when she realizes where the conversation is going.
"No, it's okay. In fact, this segues into what I think Neptune had intended for this second gathering." Vert clears her throat before raising her voice. "May I have everyone's attention? Now that we've enjoyed some great food, thanks to my dear Nepgear, I believe now would be the perfect time to give an orientation of sorts to Blanc here," she says without giving anyone time to interject. "Allow me.
"As Rom and Ram probably had already told you, we are all goddesses that rule our own nations on this continent of Gamindustri. In the past, we have fought ruthlessly for many years in the Console War, but that's all long gone history, right gals?" She asks, which is promptly met with everyone else except Blanc nodding. Next, Vert brings out her phone and brings out its hologram feature to project a landscape scene. "I, Vert, watch over Leanbox, a lovely nation located on the opposite side of Gamindustri from where we are now in Lowee. A nation that strikes the perfect balance between technology and nature. Despite being the youngest of the four nations, Leanbox is…" At this point, it becomes clear to even Rom and Ram that Vert is rambling very much like a certain red-haired CPU.
"Um...Vert?" Nepgear tries to stop her early.
"If you ever find yourself interested in anime and manga, never be afraid to visit Leanbox. You see…" Vert easily ignores Nepgear, too lost in her own speech.
"Um…" While Blanc found Vert's introduction interesting and important, she was simply going too fast while not introducing any unfamiliar terms. She decides to simply sit there in silence until she finishes.
"Dang, this girl really goes on and on about Leanbox, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, it's really boring." Ram replies quietly. "Wait a minute!" She realizes at a louder volume.
"And of course, 5pb. is- Yes, Ram? Do you have a question?" When Vert breaks from her orating spree, she finds everyone looking to Vert's left.
"Um…" Nepgear, Rom, and especially Blanc, for a split second, have no words for the newcomer, but Rom and Ram are the first to break the silence while going for another group hug. "Yay, it's C-sha!"
"Aww, you gals!" The Gold Third brawler puts down her fork that she had apparently got before appearing here and gets off her chair to reciprocate the hug.
"W-what are you doing here, C-sha?" Nepgear asks.
"Huh? Oh yeah. You're telling me that Blanny made a whole feast and didn't invite me? That's pretty mean," she fake pouts.
"B-blanny?" What a cute nickname that this totally unfamiliar stranger came up for her! Blanc can't help but feel embarrassingly flattered with red cheeks.
"Ah, I completely forgot! Blanny!" Vert exclaims at probably the loudest she has in the last month.
"What? Huh?" Blanc spits out instinctively.
Her abnormal reaction further excites Vert before she calms herself down. "Oh, it's nothing, Blanny," she says while stressing that last word. "It's nothing too important; don't worry yourself."
"Yeah, Blanny!" Rom and Ram join in the nickname-calling.
Nepgear can't help but feel that doing something that the old Blanc would vehemently condemn is wrong, but with everyone else clearly for this nickname, including C-sha, she only lets out a soft "Yeah, heh, Blanny...but, anyways, this dinner was sort of spontaneous, and we would've invited you if we had more time. Sorry, C-sha."
"Aw, it's okay; I wasn't troubled." She waves off her apology. "I'm just glad you had enough extras for an unexpected guest like me! Though, what's the occasion?"
"Blanc lost her memory." Rom nonchalantly states as the twins sit back in their seats.
"Oh, I see," she says while nodding. "Wait, what?!"
"Unfortunately, that's all there is to it, other than that Blanc's personality has reverted to when she was born." Vert clarifies.
"Really? Is that true, Blanny? You really don't remember us fighting together?"
"Um...yeah." When she notices C-sha's disappointed face, she adds a sheepish "I'm sorry…"
"It's fine. Damn, how did that happen?" she says before sighing. "Any game plan to bring it back?"
"Well, the incident actually happened only today, and any short-term solutions haven't worked." Nepgear answers. "We'll be back tomorrow to see if fighting monsters and other CPU stuff. Do you wan-"
"Of course I'm in! No question about that. We're getting ya back no matter what, Blanny," C-sha shouts while raising her fist in determination.
"Um, thank you…" For the most part, this newcomer also seems to mean good.
"No problem! We gotta make sure you remember why they call us the Golden Pair." She gives a rather forceful headpat.
"Indeed, thank you for your assistance. Feel free to help yourself to more food," adds Vert.
"Aw, thanks!" Though, she was already taking more from the center plates while simultaneously headpatting Blanc.
"In the meantime, though, we thought it would be nice to take this time to re-introduce ourselves. Resuming where we left off…"
Before Vert could continue, Ram interjects. "Vert? I think you're boring Blanny."
"H-huh? Ram?!" Blanc blurts in both surprise and annoyance, though she makes sure to suppress the latter.
"What? Really?" she says dejectedly.
"I'm sorry. I was really lost and you were going too fast and it was hard to understand...but it wasn't boring at all!" She justifies at the last second.
"It's okay, dear Blanny; it really is my fault. I'll try to speak more slowly."
"Why do we have to re-introduce ourselves if we're getting her memories back, anyways?" suggests C-sha.
"It's just in case if her amnesia lasts longer, or…" Nepgear doesn't want to sound too pessimistic to the Gold Third member.
"Yeah, I get it," she concedes. "Though, if you were to go slower, I can already tell that we'd be here until we're dead."
"Um, maybe we let Blanc ask questions instead," Rom quietly suggests.
Ram nods her head in agreement. "Ooh, nice idea, Rom! Ask away, Blanny!"
Everyone also seems to agree as they sit in silence, waiting for Blanc's questions. "Uh…um…"
"Don't be afraid; take your time." Vert adds after a half-minute filled with Blanc's filler words and C-sha eating.
Eventually, though, she arrives at a question: "Could you maybe tell me about yourself, Nepgear?"
"Me? Well, I guess I am the only one who hasn't introduced herself other than your sisters...okay!" She takes a deep breath before making an unfittingly determined face. "I'm Nepgear, Planeptune's CPU Candidate, and Planeptune is southwest from here. I really like tinker-"
"CPU Candidate…?" she mumbles, which draws Nepgear's attention out of her introduction. "Ooh, oops. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you…"
"It's okay! Please, do ask more questions when you can." She reassures with a friendly smile. "Anyways, Candidates are…" she hesitates at the implication of "the ones next in line to become CPUs." "...they're like assistant goddesses! Um, yeah. Rom and Ram are Lowee's CPU Candidates, you know. That's why you shouldn't be afraid to ask them for help."
"Yeah, we're always by your side, Blanny!" Ram chimes.
"Uh huh, uh huh!" Followed by Rom.
"Thank you, Rom, Ram," says Blanc again. "So Candidates are like younger sisters...Wait, if you're Planeptune's CPU Candidate...who's the CPU?"
"It's Neptune, but she's not as bad as you think!" Nepgear is quick to add that last point before Blanc could verbalize another overreaction. "She's actually really nice and loves to help everyone out! Also, when things get serious, she becomes super reliable, too!" When Lowee's CPU looks worryingly unconvinced, she asks everyone else, "C'mon, guys! Can't you vouch that Neptune's an awesome CPU?"
Thankfully, no one instantly bursts in laughter. "She's, um, a nice gaming partner," Vert adds hesitantly. "But there's a reason why you're my younger sister and not her, Nepgear!"
"Wha- Vert?! Not right now! Please don't confuse her!"
"Vert's the CPU of Planeptune...and Leanbox?" Blanc is starting to sound like another Planeptunian CPU.
"No, Vert is jus-"
The other three quickly add their first thoughts of Neptune, starting with Ram. "Hey, Nepgear? Didn't you tell me about that time Neptune bullied you all the time when you were at that other dimension?"
The mention of Ultra Dimension brings quick bad memories to Rom. "Oh no…Plutia...why did Neptune bring her to us?"
"Well, I guess she's pretty spunky, though I mostly met her with that other Neptune and...yeah, I definitely like the older one better. Sorry, Nepgear," C-sha casually adds almost simultaneously as Rom and Ram.
"It wasn't that bad, Ram! And Plutia would've done that by herself without Neptune, Rom. And C-sha…" Nepgear notices Blanc's look in the middle of her excuses.
"What...huh…'other dimension'? 'Other Neptune'?!" Her confusion is stifling to the point where her head is literally spinning around with a dazed look.
"Oh no, guys! What should I do? If only Neptune didn't disappear earlier..."
Vert realizes her mistake and responds, "I'm sorry, Nepgear and Blanc. Here, let me try to clarify what I said-"
"Us too. Blanc, what I meant by 'other dimension-'"
"There's nothing much to there being two Neptunes. Though, it still is a bit silly…"
"One at a time, please!"
While everyone is trying to clarify themselves, the multiple voices create an expanding barrier of noise that pushes Blanc down her seat as she tries to sink away from the argument. Their voices also mask another sound when it shouldn't have: from outside the dining hall, there's a repeated thumping with increasing volume that no one inside can hear. Right when it appears to be outside, the door slams open, instantly silencing everyone.
"Jeez...how can the convenience store...be both so far away...and confusing to find?!" complains the CPU in question in between panting, carrying a bag containing her spoils of her journey.
"Neptune!" Everyone shouts with equal parts surprise and annoyance.
"Neptune, did you seriously leave us to cook everything just so you could get puddi-?" sternly asks Vert.
"Yes!" she immediately answers. She quietly walks over and plops the bag down on the table. "Lesson one as a CPU, Blanc: you gotta make sure the route to get pudding is always fast, easy, and fun!"
Neptune's sudden appearance and "confrontation" leaves Blanc completely silent in shock, ready to jump away from any sudden possibly book-related attacks.
"Neptune, please be careful this time," reminds her sister.
"'This time'? What happened last time…?" C-sha is left to wonder by herself.
Looking back at Nepgear, Neptune gives a silent reassuring nod before rummaging through her plastic bag. "Alrighty, Blanc! I know we got off the wrong hand, or whatever, with the whole book thingy...so please, take this as my humble apology." In a quick thrust of the arm, she whips out a cup of pudding and holds in front of Blanc. "You gotta try this! There oughtta be a spoon right below the lid."
Despite Neptune's hospitality, her excitedly twitchy movements still puts Blanc off. "Um…" Neptune has the courtesy to not do anything else but hold her offer out with a confident and determined smile.
For each passing second, though, that unusually unwavering confidence dwindles as Neptune's smile turns into a more imploring and somewhat pleading one. Still unsure, Blanc looks at the others for silent advice. To her surprise, they unanimously give a reassuring smile.
"If Neptune had to be serious about one thing, it would be pudding," Nepgear bemusedly adds.
"Yeah, I agree. Neither Ne...er, I meant, Neptune would never play cruel gotchas, or any jokes, when it comes to pudding," says C-sha.
"C-mon, Blanny! Don't be a baby! It's really sweet," Ram mentions.
Everyone's voices give Blanc confidence and she finally, though slowly, takes the custard pudding. With equal speed, she opens the cup, pulls the wooden disposable spoon out, and indulges in her first bite. Neptune and the rest look on with silent heart-raising anticipation.
Her eyes widen the moment the spoon touches her tongue. "This is…so...delicious!" All of the tension from her face evaporates into bliss at the taste of this mass-produced snack before going for more.
"Woo hoo!" Rom and Ram, as well as Nepgear to a certain extent, can't help but cheer, instant barbarian style. Vert and C-sha add a much quieter cheer along with applause.
"Aw, you guys…" While she is embarrassed by everyone, Blanc also feels their jovialness and can't resist smiling. That is, until she looks down and realizes she finished her pudding.
Neptune expected this to happen from the start, so when Blanc looks up to Neptune's victorious grin, Planeptune's crafty CPU prepares the coup de grace to her master plan. "Oh, you want more? Well I did pay my hard-earned credits on them, but just for your cute booty, I'll give you all of this…" She pauses over-dramatically as bathes in Blanc's reaction and the otherwise silence. "...if you gimme a hug!"
Rom and Ram continue to play up Neptune's act and gasp loudly. "Will this work…?" Rom quietly mutters.
"Jeez, this is just like an anime, isn't it?" comments C-sha with slight disbelief.
"Yes, but don't you agree that this is so cute seeing Blanny like this?" says Vert as she admires the scene.
"A...hug? But…" She knows that everyone wants her not to distrust Neptune, but her gut CPU feeling tells her otherwise, no matter how many times they remind her that it's fine, and she sits there without answering.
"Too much to ask, huh?" she says after enough silence. Perhaps her romanticized plan was too ideal. "Ah, it's alright. I guess none of the other CPUs would be okay with-"
Neptune instantly stops when Blanc stands up and goes for a tight hug. Her disappointment was enough to convince the shy goddess to jump out of her comfort zone.
"Nep-wha?!" The delay in Blanc's decision was what surprised Neptune, causing her to drop her bag. "Aw, Blanc!" showing her proudness of her. Even with Blanc's unrestrained strength, Neptune is strong enough to tolerate her bear hug. "So happy that we got over that…event. Again, sorry that I, uh, bopped you really hard with a book...heh."
"Mmhmm." She takes the apology to heart, being very grateful it was just an accident.
"Wow…" All doubts that Nepgear had for Neptune vanishes, further strengthening her admiration for her older sister.
"Never expected that from the younger Neptune, heh..." C-sha chuckles, "but I can now see why B-sha always talks great about her."
"Geez, Blanny, how long are you going to do that to Neptune?" complains Ram. Their hug is becoming somewhat awkward to everyone else. While one side of it doesn't seem to mind it, Blanc seems to be charmed by the concept of a hug, adding back rubs to the mix.
"Aww, Blanc, you heard her. If you don't let go, I'm gonna start calling you Blanny!" teases Neptune.
This only causes Blanc to quietly further tighten her hug, forcing a wheeze from Neptune.
"Blanc, please stop! You're gonna suffocate my sis!" Nepgear tries to pull her sister out. "Everyone, please help!"
Fortunately, Blanc let go at what Nepgear said before anyone else got involved. "Eep! I-I'm sorry, Neptune!"
"You're A-okay, Blanc! Err, Blanny!" She says with a thumbs up. "Just a reminder, though, Nep Jr. will always be cuter than you."
"Aww, Neptune…"
"Yeah, so? We don't care what you think! Blanny's the best, right, Rom?"
"Mmhmm. Blanc's the best CPU and can beat up everything once we restore her memories!"
"Who knows, we can take this time to retrain Blanc to become even stronger!" suggests C-sha.
"Aww, now I feel left out!" Vert teasingly says. "Times like these really make me wish I had a younger sister." There's perhaps a more devious implication to his tone.
"So, we all game for a good 'ol hunting session tomorrow?" reminds Neptune.
"Of course. In Lowee, I assume?" C-sha clarifies.
"We were thinking that we can also take this time to give Blanc a tour around Gamindustri, so maybe somewhere else?" suggests Nepgear. "What do you think, Blanc?"
Blanc still doesn't know exactly how this "session" is supposed to be like, but she knows one thing's for certain: "I would like to explore Lowee."
"Hmm...a-ha!" Neptune raises her finger as an idea pops up. "I have the perfect plan for tomorrow! Everyone's gonna love it, money back guaranteed!"
"What is it?" Multiple girls ask.
"Ehehe...well…"
im starting to have doubts on how often i spontaneously write in hug scenes
i will try to refrain from now on but will probably forget anyways
"Nep-wha?!" The delay in Blanc's decision was what surprised Neptune, causing her to drop her bag. "Aw, Blanc!" showing her proudness of her. Even with Blanc's unrestrained strength, Neptune is strong enough to tolerate her bear hug. "So happy that we got over that…event. Again, sorry that I, uh, bopped you really hard with a book...heh."
What Neptune isn't strong enough for is a pristinely-executed suplex as Blanc crashes her head-first into the floor behind her.
"That swiftness...such strength...!" Nepgear mutters in utter awe.
This time, everyone, including Vert and C-sha, jumps and hollers at Blanc's expert technique like true instant barbarians.
In this time, Blanc gets on the table and shouts, "You no-show! You has-been! You fake gamer! I never had amnesia; it was all just a ruse!" before she jumps up and crashes into Neptune, striking Neptune square in the back with her elbow.
Everyone comes up to Blanc and picks her up, cheering Blanc on as they carry her into the window, smash it open, then crowdsurf out of the Basilicom into town.
Neptune resigned; lmao.
