AN: First, let me apologize for my lateness. Secondly, I am very happy to see that many of you enjoyed the first chapter, and I hope you like this one just as well. There has also been a change. firelordzuko made me realize that the time period I set this in was not ideal since most of the English colonies have not been established yet. As such, I am changing the time to the 1780's so it can historically line up better with my story. I like to think that Lelouch would love being on the run from the British Navy. Also if you've read Mrs. Dalloway, the quote below is used as a contrast to this lunch, and a bit of an ironic statement. ^^
Firelordzuko: Thank you for pointing out my error, I didn't realize how little Britain owned at that time. ^^'. Hopefully this fixes things ..
Lelouch: Thank you for the review and your kind words. I hope this doesn't disappoint you. ^^
DarkBombayAngel: Thank you for the review. I hope you didn't have to wait too long ^^'
RukiButterfly: I'm glad to see that you're happy to see this turned into an actual multichap story. Yes! I love it when people totally understand my feelings about Suzaku x femlelouch. Hopefully this will help even out the score. ^-^v
Spunkay Skunk: So sorry about the laptop virus, but thankfully Lelouch x femSuzaku prevails! I liked the little forum you had about lulusuza and I completely agree. I actually wasn't considering pirate Lelouch (since it seemed a little cliché) until I saw a picture of him donned in a pirate outfit which became the catalyst to this idea, and I just had to do it the inner Code Geass fangirl in me demanded it. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. =^w^=
Michael Chang: I should have known you would've shown up, but thanks glad you enjoyed it. And obviously you have permission since I granted it to you when I allowed you to see this. Also if you're reading this don't forget Paradise Lost and the sample essay for James.
Harco5089: I'm glad you like it. I hope you didn't have to wait too long for this update.
Scandalous
Chapter 2: Lunch with the Ladies
Millicent Bruton, whose lunch parties were said to be extraordinarily amusing, had not asked her. —from Mrs. Dalloway
The sea was calm that day. Gentle waves rocked the steady ship, towards the port. Just to the side of the ship was a school of dolphins leisurely splashing and riding next to the enormous vessel, and sea gulls were squawking overhead the crew working on board.
Inside the lavish captain's cabin, Lelouch sat in a plush chair, courtesy of a very gracious marquis, next to the window. He was fiddling and twirling the necklace in his hand as he sat staring out into the ocean, deep in thought. Sunlight reflected off the smooth emerald surface, and created various colorful shapes through his cabin. As he twirled it around, the light danced around him. The dancing shapes seemed to move like the elegant but stiff ladies and lords that danced in the grand gala. All the dull boring people.
But there was one person who piqued his interest, someone who made his blood burn. She was like the exquisite flowers that bloomed along the tropical coasts, and he wanted nothing but to take her for himself. There was a desire to conquer, to feel the rushing thrill as he defeated the woman, and yet…
He twirled the necklace again.
He didn't win. She had caught him just as well, and she had taken a souvenir with her. Lelouch smirked. To think that he was forced to call a tie by that seemingly harmless woman.
But no matter. Lelouch thought.
He would get his watch back (and perhaps it was safer in her hands ironically enough), and perhaps, he might just claim the intriguing treasure he uncovered.
There was a sharp knock.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"Ohgi sir." The man answered.
Lelouch sighed and pocketed the necklace. He opened the door and looked impatiently at his subordinate.
"Yes, Ohgi?"
"The prisoner's up." He answered.
A malicious smirk spread through his face.
"Good, keep him occupied while I make myself presentable." Lelouch said.
"Yes Captain." Ohgi answered.
-0-0-0-
Glimmering eyes stared straight through her. Warm large hands gripped her waist and glided her towards him. He smelt of the sea, and the wind that guided the lofty but tied sails. He stole a kiss. He gave a mischievous smirk.
"Keep it safe for me kitten."
And he flew back into the ocean.
-0-
"M'lady?" Sayako asked.
Suzaku jolted from her daydream and smiled at the maid. "Yes Sayako?"
"You seem…distracted, is your hand hurting you?"
"Not at all Sayako, I was just thinking."
The maid nodded, "I see, it must have been rather exciting to fight against a pirate."
Suzaku laughed. "Yes it was rather thrilling."
"True, but best if we don't tell anyone else that."
Suzaku smiled ruefully into her cup, "Too true." She didn't mention the pocket watch hidden under her pillow. She had carefully snuck it into the pocket of her dress just before her father came and placed it under her pillow so her father wouldn't find or see it.
"Is there anything else today Sayako?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes, Lady Fenette and Lady Shirley will be calling in today." Sayako said as she handed the cream-colored letter to her. "They should arrive by noon if I'm not mistaken."
Suzaku took the letter and read it with a tight grimace. "Surely the dear ladies have better things to do, and have much more entertaining people around than me?" she said as she put the letter down.
"I'm afraid not m'lady." Sakayo said with a smile. "Besides I think it's good practice. You rarely have anyone call on you."
With good reason too. Suzaku thought.
"And since your father ordered you to move as little as possible, having lunch and tea with Lady Fenette and Lady Shirley is the perfect way to keep you put."
Suzaku groaned and let her head fall on the paper in her hands. The soft crinkles didn't nearly satisfy her need to throw something.
-0-
At exactly noon, the ladies entered. Lady Fenette was a thin tall lady with a pointed face, pale skin, dark brown hair that was always decorated with fancy jewels and flowers, and cold pale eyes. Shirley, on the other hand, had bright carrot-colored hair, worn loosely in a bun today, a rounded oval face, bright eyes and a genial face.
As soon as the ladies entered the parlor, Shirley cried with delight and embraced Suzaku warmly. It was times like these that Suzaku found it hard to imagine that Lady Fenette could produce such a jovial compassionate woman. Of course, as Suzaku watched Lady Fenette frown disapprovingly over Shirley's shoulder, she was sure the dear lady often thought so as well.
Lady Fenette cleared her throat loudly, which caused Shirley to jump away and flush under her mother's pointed stare.
"Good evening Lady Suzaku." Lady Fenette greeted, "I apologize for the sudden visit. We were just worried for you after the awful incident last night."
Of course you are. Suzaku thought wryly, but she smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern Your Grace, and it is no problem at all for you to call in and drop by for a little lunch. Please sit down, the cooks are almost done, and Sayako has prepared tea for us." Suzaku motioned to the empty seats on either side of her.
The Lady Fenette nodded, and Shirley eagerly took a seat next to Suzaku.
"Oh it must have been terrifying to be alone in the maze with those pirates all around you." Shirley immediately started as she grasped Suzaku's hand. Suzaku didn't tell her that it was the very hand Lelouch cut.
"Yes, it was rather foolish of you to go out alone into the maze." Lady Fenette said as she sipped on the tea Sayako set.
"I suppose it was." Suzaku returned evenly.
"Oh but I just couldn't believe that handsome man was actually a pirate. A captain no less!" Shirley exclaimed, "I've never known a pirate who looked as handsome as he was."
"Yes he was." Suzaku said absently as she sipped the tea.
"I'm sure you would know Lady Suzaku." Lady Fenette stated almost too nonchalantly, "you did dance with him if I'm not mistaken."
Shirley looked at Suzaku in awe and surprise. "You did?"
"It happened rather fast during the dance, there was an unexpected change of partners and we happened to be paired up." Suzaku quickly explained.
"Yes, you seemed rather close during the dance."
"I believe that is what happens when you dance."
Lady Fenette shot her an unimpressive glare. "True, but it was rather foolish of you to dance with the enemy, especially with such intimate gestures."
Oh you have no idea. Suzaku thought.
"If I recall, Madam, the guards were the ones who let him on the basis that he looked wealthy." Suzaku replied. She didn't mention the fact that the Fenette's hosted the party and were therefore partly responsible for the attack; however, the scarlet hue that seeped into Lady Fenette's cheeks showed that she read understood the implications behind Suzaku's words.
And that gave her great satisfaction.
"Well all that matters now is that you're alright." Shirley said a little loudly as she tried to dispel the tension. She patted Suzaku's hand and smiled at her warmly. "We were worried for you when we saw your father carry you up back to the manor. You were so disoriented, not that I blame you, that you didn't notice when Kallen, Milly, Anya and I rushed over to you. Gino went into a tizzy and swore to kill the pirates if he saw them again." Shirley giggled, "If I didn't know any better I would think he fancied you."
Suzaku smiled warmly, "Thank you for your concern Shirley, and I'm sorry I worried you."
Unfortunately the fleetingly jovial atmosphere was shattered when Lady Fenette "hrumphed," and asked when lunch would be served. No doubt the woman was composing a list of faults Suzaku had, and she was itching to share it with the other ladies. Suzaku turned to Sayako.
"Is lunch ready Sayako?" she asked.
"Yes, m'lady." Sakyako answered. "Shall I bring it out?"
"If you would."
Sayako bowed and headed towards the kitchens.
Lady Fenette lifted her chin up and sipped her tea delicately. "Well, nice to know that even here the servants know their place."
Suzaku bit her tongue and munched on her biscuit. It wasn't even ten minutes into the lunch and she was itching to throw a dish at the impossible woman.
Fortunately Sayako was prompt, and lunch was quickly set out, and conversation lessened as they ate.
"Hm, I must say His Grace certainly brought the best ingredients." Lady Fenette commented. The first good comment Suzaku heard all day.
"Father only wants the best." Suzaku said, "It is much better for one's health, he always says."
Lady Fenette waved her hand flippantly, "I'm sure." She said. Then she took a sip of her tea and discreetly lifted her eyes towards Suzaku, "Although, you must have been pleased to hear that your father and yourself will be setting sail to England with us three days from now. I must admit while the vacation house here is nice, I much prefer the manor in England. Even after a nice vacation like this, it's always nice to go back home isn't it?"
Suzaku stilled and tried not to show her great surprise to the lady. She cleared her throat and looked at her with a passive countenance, "I'm afraid my father never said anything of the like."
Lady Fenette feigned shock, "Did he now?" she gasped. "Why I was sure he told you, especially when he came to our manor to tell us this."
"Again Madam, he never said such a thing to me."
Lady Fenette sniffed, a bit disappointed from Suzaku's lack of reaction, "Well I suppose it can't be helped." She said.
Suzaku paused and looked towards the infuriating woman, "Pardon?"
"Well it isn't as if you could do anything about it." Lady Fenette said. "You weren't properly educated after your mother died, so it would be impossible for you to oversee the packing and organizing."
"I'm sure my father has better reasons not to tell me than that flimsy response." Suzaku answered coldly.
"Perhaps." Lady Fenette stated, "So why then did he not tell you?"
"I was still resting when he left and did not wish to bother me."
Lady Fenette's eyes narrowed but she remained silent. Shirley shifted uncomfortable under the tense aura, and tried to make pleasant conversation.
("So…how's Arthur doing Suzaku?" "Doing well." "Oh…that's nice, very nice.").
Unfortunately, it flopped around awkwardly until there was only the soft clinks of silverware for the rest of lunch.
Lunch was cleared and Sayako brought out desert. Shirley, again, tried to make conversation ("The beach is very nice this time of year, perhaps we can swim later on?"), and just as Suzaku was agreeing ("That sounds nice since the beaches in England are always so cold.") Lady Fenette would interrupt and say a scalding comment ("And darken your skins? Do you want to look like lowly pheasants?").
Suzaku's patience thinned considerably during the awful lunch. Even Shirley's awkward attempts at a pleasant conversation were soured by the Lady. Just as the clock struck one, Sayako came in and announced that her father was back.
Lady Fenette put down her cup and stood, "Well look at the time, it appears that we must get going." She looked at Suzaku with her cold eyes, "It has been a pleasure Lady Suzaku, until the next time we meet."
"Indeed." Suzaku replied with a tight smile.
Shirley also stood and said, "Maybe we can meet again with the others before we leave, Milly's house of course." She said with a conspiratorial wink.
Suzaku chuckled, "Perhaps Shirley."
And they left just as elegantly as they came.
As the door clicked Suzaku sighed and slumped in her chair.
"Rough time?" Sayako asked.
"You have no idea." Suzaku answered.
"Well it builds character."
Suzaku groaned, "You got that from father."
"Of course." Sayako smiled. "He's a very wise man."
Suzaku hummed in agreement. There was a slight silence and then Suzaku asked, "Did you know we were leaving?"
"Yes, but he wanted to tell you when he came back since you were still resting."
"That's good to know."
Sayako turned and gave her a serious stare. "Don't let an ignorant cow like her put any ridiculous ideas in your head m'lady. You are just as prepared, and even more so, as any lady to take over and do your duties."
Suzaku sent her a grateful smile, "Thank you Sayako."
"My pleasure m'lady."
-0-0-
The prison hold was damp and smelled of sweat and urine. Inside the iron cage was a scrawny man with a thin shirt and ripped up trousers. Various cuts and bruises covered his face and exposed flesh. If not treated soon the man would die from infection. He was shivering in a dank corner of the cell when Lelouch entered.
He pulled out a chair and sat down slowly as he observed the man.
"I see my men have treated you right." He said.
The prisoner's head shot up and looked up with fear as he saw the regal captain smirking viciously down on him.
"C-Captain L-Lamperouge." He stuttered.
Lelouch nearly rolled his eyes at the pathetic display. "Yes, Tom, it is I the feared Captain Lamperouge." He said with a mock air of superiority. "I see you haven't changed one bit."
"P-Please let me explain!" the man shouted desperately as he flung himself onto the iron bars.
Lelouch clucked his tongue distastefully and held up a hand before the quivering man could say more.
"Not another word, Tom. I already know everything."
"E-Everything?"
"Yes, my good man." Lelouch said, "Who do you take me for? A common criminal lord?"
Tom shook his head quickly. "O-Of course not."
Lelouch smirked. "Well I can see your flattery has never left you. Now, onto more important matter." Lelouch trailed off as he picked his cleanly cut nails. "Where is it?"
Tom was a brave man it seems as he tried to look confused. "I-I don't know what you mean Captain."
Lelouch waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense of course you do. We just need to jog your memory a bit don't we?" Lelouch said as he eyed the various weapons hanging on the wall beside him.
Tom stiffened in fear as he watched the captain sweep across the floor to the wall with the various torture devices.
"You know, I find that pain is an excellent way to jog people's memories don't you think?" Lelouch said as he took down a thick long piece of wood with nails protruding out of the surface.
Tom spluttered fearfully as Lelouch edged closer to him, "W-Wait I remember."
Lelouch stopped and smiled, "Do you?"
"Y-Yes, the village." Tom said. "The village right next to the port, they know. The elder knows."
Lelouch had a thoughtful look on his face, "Why didn't you get it?"
"I-I couldn't, I tried b-but I-I—" Tom shivered and fell on his hands and knees as he pleaded, "Please don't kill me."
Lelouch scoffed, "Please I wouldn't dirty my hands on the likes of you."
Tom looked relieved. "O-oh thank you captain thank you thank you…"
Lelouch smirked, "Oh I wouldn't thank me just yet."
Just as he said this, a tall burly man entered. Tom looked ready to wet himself as he set his gaze on the man.
"Y-You said—"
Lelouch sighed dramatically, "Oh how it wounds me that even after serving my ship for nearly six years, you haven't understood me in the least bit."
Lelouch smiled darkly at the shivering man, "I said I wouldn't kill you, but I'd be more than happy to let Yoshitaka spill your pathetic cowardly blood over the sea where it will be washed away permanently." Lelouch said with a cold gaze. "Don't think I haven't overlooked your betrayal." He said. "I take loyalty very seriously, and I won't let a bumbling greedy idiotic buffoon like you ruin everything I have set up and done."
Lelouch gave a curt nod to Yoshitaka. The large man cracked his knuckles, and strode forward. Tom cried and pleaded in the corner, but Lelouch paid them no mind as he walked out the door.
He closed the door and walked away as the muffled screams started and then suddenly stopped. Lelouch smiled maliciously, "We shall see each other in hell, Tom." And he strode up the ship to the deck where his crew was awaiting his orders.
Note: I believe that Suzaku would call Lady Fenette "Your Grace" because even though she is a duke's daughter she is still at a lower rank than a duke's wife.
AN: Thank you for reading and drop a review if you don't mind. I might post up some pictures of pirate Lelouch and femsuzaku on my deviantart account later, but we'll see. Thanks again.
Without Wax,
Mikanchan94
