A/N: It's been so long since I updated! Don't shoot me, I have a life!

I will use the names Tabitha - her school identity - and Charlotte interchangeably. Warning y'all in advance....

While the plot concept is based off Code Geass, this is still mainly the Halkegenia-verse of this beloved series. I don't want to define it as a Geass as of yet; I hope to add some original twists in the future..........

Anyway! On with the story!

OMAKE/OUTTAKE CHAPTER (well, it's an mini-chapter omake/a little teaser with a pinch of crack humor, but it will have significance in moving the story along.... I hope.)

*is currently drowning in tasks and writer's block in desperate need of inspiration. the ZnT series has hit the lows in quality which shuts down this fanfic author's mind.*

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By the time I reached the swords shop that Kirche was still at when I left her, my friend was grinning from ear to ear. "Heehee... this sword's better than that garbage Zero no Louise bought my darling! Surely he'll choose this stronger, more beautiful presentation of a weapon."

"I see. A decoration....." I say this indifferently without much thought. And before I know it, I'm the one who's cursing her impudent tongue. Pretty ironic, huh? That 'Tabitha' possessed one.

"Ne ne! Tabitha, you look happy for me!" I shifted my expression to a neutral one a split second before the girl with ... certain assets that I envied glomped my scrawny figure. "Ah, yes. I bet that behind those books you read, you're actually reading a bunch of romance novels lately, huh!? If that's the case, then you'd best be my true friend.... that is if you spoke up and advised me for once!" Her hug became suffocating, leaving me no other choice than to use my free hand and whack her with my beloved staff.

"Itai!"

"Your fault," I mumble, walking with my head buried in my book, as if it could conceal my raw, newly awakened emotions as Charlotte and my previous actions. I retreated into my head once again, letting my autopilot 'Tabitha' persona take over. In all actuality, I was drowning in thought, even as I felt Sylphid sweep us onto his back for the ride home.

I agreed to this contract earlier, but what to do in order to meet it's requirements?

What are the extents to my power?

What IS this power?

Or is there in fact some power going against me?

Who is this me right now... or am I still the same?

If I'm not the same, how am I to live my life now?

Of course, this could be one of Uncle's mind torturing devices... but whatever the case me be, Kirche addressed me as Tabitha earlier upon my return. There's no doubt that I still look the same physically. As I thought about all of this, humanity got the better of me as I flashbacked to Kirche hugging me, the feeling of a "true friend." It was so weird.

And speaking of looking the same physically, it's great and all, even if certain..... side-effects would've been nice as well.... ah forget it! What isn't .... isn't. Some things require the initiative!

Kirche POV

It's weird. As Sylphid took us back to Tristain's Academy of Magic, Tabitha must have zoned out or fallen completely asleep, but her eyes are more intense than usual. Heh, the ice is melting, huh? Come to think about it, she dared to dismiss my little gift as a decoration. As mean as it was of her, it's a start to opening up. Could it be she likes someone as well?

And maybe her snide remark about the Decoration Sword was her way of.... NO FRICKIN WAY! SHE CAN'T LIKE SAITO! IF SHE'S MY TRUE FRIEND......

My chain of thought was cut short as Sylphid landed at the entrance to the Girls' Dorm Sector. As soon as we got off with Sylphid's departure into who-knows-where, Tabitha closed the book and flicked her cape, walking off at an unusually fast pace for the usually indifferent bookworm.

"Tabitha?"

"Potions," she said simply, with what seemed to be a tinge of embarrassment. How weird. Perhaps she's just studying again....

I decided to let her go. I had a gift for my Darling to deliver!

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Regular POV:

.... and little did Kirche know of Tabitha's concern of her lack of asset.

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*dodges bullets / shields self with trash-can lid*