Mon Mon Nepu Nepu 9

I've never realized it before, but Planeptune gets really quiet when night falls.  Businesses were closing and people were saying goodbye to each other as they all returned to their homes.  Well, mostly everyone.  Only a few couples stayed outside to watch the stars dot the sky as the sun finally left the horizon.  "Alright everyone..."  IF got our attention as she broke the silence.  "...let's head to the Guild and get this report out of the way.  The sooner we do the sooner we can rest."

"Nnngh...come back...Gear...I was..."  She's so light that had she not said anything I might've forgotten I was carrying her.  I really shouldn't keep teasing her, but I can't help myself when the chance is right here in my face.

"What are we going to do Uni?"  I ask in a gentle voice in hopes that she'd continue sleeptalking.

"What else....stupid..."  She shuffled around quite a bit as she finally pulled an arm from around me and reached forward, as if pulling something back to her.  "...just come back...I wanna..."  Her hand drooped as her words muddled together as she went back into a deep sleep.

Without turning around IF spoke to me in a hushed voice.  "Stop teasing the poor girl Gear before you regret it."

"Before I regret it?"  I was confused as to how I'd be the one to regret giving Uni a little something extra in her dreams.

"Who else?  She's probably dreaming all kinds of things and you're only making things worse for yourself in the morning.  I guess you'll find out for yourself soon enough."  Her voice had a hint of teasing as she wrapped her arm around Compa, carefully pulling her closer.  That reminds me...

"Hey IF, that Guild said Mrs. to the both of you, does that mean you two..."  Compa decided to chime in this time, answering me cheerfully.

"Of course, what else could it mean?"  I guess the last thing I remember regarding the both of them, IF had kind of claimed Compa as her own.

It's nice to see that they're officially together and happy like this...but it makes me wonder if anyone else has done anything similar.  A thought crosses my mind but I dismiss it quickly with a laugh and mutter to myself.  "Silly Noire..."  I shouldn't be like this, but it's plain as day that she's crazy about Neptune, but she's too afraid to say anything to my sister.

"We're almost there Ge-Ge, just a few more blocks.  The report will go by really fast, we just want you to see what the process is and we'll be out in a jiffy."  I nodded as a large building came into view with windows that had bright light shining through, where an occasional silhouette could be seen moving about.  "Ooh, this is going to be fun, it's nighttime for Guildie."  What kind of fun is there to be had about making a report?  I think of several ways how that's even possible as we stepped through the double doors.

"Hellooooo and welcome back Mrs. IF, Mrs. Compa, Nepgear, and sleeping Uni.  How are you this fine evening?"  Ms. Guildie is speaking so much faster than she was earlier today and she's all over the place, what's gotten into her?  IF stepped up to the desk to care of the report as Compa and I went to take a seat.  Well, I couldn't sit down due to taking care of Uni, so Compa helped herself and sat down as we waited patiently.

"Good evening Guildie, we're finally back from the Dogoo mission.  We hit a little snag while the monsters were being cleared out..."  She went on to explain what had happened while Ms. Guildie darted back and forth at amazing speeds.  In the blink of an eye she went from standing right in front of IF to another edge of the counter, sorting and stamping paperwork and just...working so hard, all while barely opening her eyes.  I stared at her intently trying to catch her movements but she's just too fast for me to keep up with, all I see when she moves is a yellow blur.

"Trying to keep up with her Ge-Ge?"  I only nod and give her a little 'mhm' in response as I try to keep up with Guildie, but it looks like she's showing no signs of slowing down.

"Ugh, I give up Compa, I'm starting to get dizzy trying to keep up with her."

"Don't worry, Guildie is the only woman I've seen with this kind of speed, but it never ceases to surprise me."  Her voice was filled with admiration as we watched IF finish her business and come back to us.

"Well, that's taken care of and I've got you and Uni a new mission for tomorrow."

"Goodness we've been through a lot today, but I think I'm ready for it.  This is part of redeeming ourselves, right?"  I shouldn't be surprised, IF was always serious about anything Guild related...and even though we didn't have a choice we did go into the depths.

"Of course, you didn't think lugging Uni around was all I'd make you do, did you?  The both of you are going to have to make up for today by taking care of this assignment.  It's only a handful of lesser monsters you'll have to take care of near Haneda."

Haneda?  As we waved good-bye to a restless Guildie I tried my best to remember where I've heard that name before.  Thankfully the Basilicom wasn't too far off, I think all this walking has finally started getting to me.  IF held the door for everyone as we all entered and turned in to our rooms.  I was tempted to ask when they moved in here but I was yawning far too much to even begin speaking, and I think it may have started infecting everyone else.  Compa and IF managed to say their goodnights and headed in the opposite direction to their own rooms.

I trudged back to my own room and suddenly realized...I was still carrying Uni!  "Oh goodness, how am I going to-"  Another yawn escapes me as fatigue washes over me, making the right decision even more obvious right now.  I pull the sheets back and gently tuck Uni into bed, and take one final stretch as I slip in on the other side.  It feels so good being able to lie down after a long day like today...just me, my bed and my best friend...I'm sure she won't mind a surprise sleepover tonight.  With one last yawn I close my eyes and get ready for some much needed rest...

"G-G-G-G..."

"Ngh...a few more minutes please Neptune..."

"G-G-Gear!?

Hm, that doesn't sound like my sister at all.  "Nngh...Uni?"  Oh, I remember now, I didn't bother going to the guest room and just brought her straight here because I wanted to go to sleep so badly.  I let out a soft groan as I rub my eyes and wake up to a very distraught and red faced Uni.  "What's wrong?"  She looks terrified as she lies there stammering uncontrollably...did she not like the idea of sleeping over unenexpectedly?  I inched forward to touch her head to check if she was feeling well, but she scrambled out of bed in such a panic that she lost a few feathers.

The moment she hit the floor she immediately shot back to her feet, clearing her throat furiously and doing her best to not look directly at me.  "Wh-what's wrong indeed!  Wh-wh-why am I in your room...i-in your bed no less!?"  Her eyes darted all around me as she tried to keep her composure.

"Um, you fell asleep and I got really tired so I kind of...tucked you in.  But you can think of it as a surprise sleep over or something at least, right?"  I couldn't help it, the thought of going to sleep was a little too much for me.

She let out a strange high-pitched noise but her mouth was sealed shut.  It was if she was screaming internally or something, and I'm afraid that if I move too much she might release it.  We stared at each other for what felt like hours until someone came knocking at the door.  Uni tilted her head towards the door in hopes that it would relieve a little tension.  "I'm awake, come on in!"

After a few thumps the door opened to reveal...a very normal looking Histoire.  I'm honestly a little disappointed that she seems to be herself, but there's probably more to her just like everyone else I've met so far.  "Good morning girls, I hope I'm not intruding on anything."  Uni remained silent as Histoire looked at us, brimming with a little smile as she landed on my knee.  "Very well, I received news from IF that the two of you will be heading north to Haneda for another infestation mission."

We nodded as she continued briefing us on our assignment.  "You'll be handling a small horde of Slimes that have occupied a fort near Haneda.  You are to clear them out before they migrate into Haneda itself."  She lifted off of my knee and slowly made her way to the door, her wings leaving a trail of brillant sparkles in her wake.  "I wish the best of luck to the both of you."

Uni remained silent as we fixed ourselves up and got ready to leave.  I really should apologize, I don't know what got into me that made me do those things to her in her sleep.  Goodness IF was right!