Author's Note: although I am sure you are all aware, I do not own Code Geass, or any of it's characters, I merely wish I did… anywho, so this is the new chapter, I hope you enjoy it, please read and review! Thanks, Britt :D
Chapter Four
Of all the things Lelouch had expected from this new life, a new visage was not one of them. He had always assumed he would be essentially reincarnated in his own body. Now he realized this was impossible. While he never seemed to have left his body, it had nonetheless happened.
His discarded shell of course would have been buried already. He faintly wondered who would have atteneded his funeral, or if they had even thrown one for him. It was quite likely that they had not used any rituals to honor his life, and treated him as if he were a mere common criminal. This thought saddened him, but Lelouch knew that Nunnally would never allow him to be treated in such an uncouth manner. Not that it mattered much to him, as he wasn't aware for any of the rites. He had been otherwise preoccupied.
The existence of a completely new face and body took a weight from his shoulders, since he no longer had to worry about people recognizing him. He wiggled about in the huge bed he found himself in and assessed that his limbs all seem to work decently. He was wrapped in a cocoon of blankets, and the sheets were tangled furiously around his feet, as if he had been experiencing an especially horrifying nightmare. He lay peacefully for a few more moments, simply enjoying the luxury of breathing the relatively fresh air blowing in through a nearby window.
He soon sat up to inspect the place. It was a sparsely furnished apartment, with no pictures or artwork on the walls. There was the bedroom that he was in, and two other doors leading what he assumed would be a bathroom and kitchen, although he would examine them later. A desk equipped with a laptop and printer sat near the only window in the bedroom, on the western wall. Then, of course, there was the bed in which he had slept and a large wardrobe adjacent to it. The wall across from the bed was mostly covered by an absolutely gigantic gilt framed mirror. That was the strangest thing about the apartment.
When he turned his attention to the mirror, he saw a young man with mid-length blond hair and bright green eyes staring back at him. His nose was relatively normal, and his cheekbones stood out only enough to define his face. Typical. Of course the Shepherd would make me a blond. Ugh, I look just like Schniezel, the dog. However, I will not let it get to me. Appearances are irrelevant to me. Lelouch snorted at this thought and rolled his eyes.
His body type was similar to what it was before. He was grateful for that. If he had been much shorter or taller it would have taken some getting used to. He looked down and saw that he was dressed in a pair of blue striped boxers and a wife beater. He shrugged and untangled himself from the forest of sheets crumpled at the bottom of the comfortable bed.
He walked into what he presumed would be the kitchen. It was indeed a kitchen, but it was also connected to a small living room. There was a worn out couch and TV in there, as well as a massive bookcase full of thick, dusty volumes. Interesting. I wonder if I am quite the reader in this new life. He also wondered if he was taking over someone else's life, or if he had simply appeared into the world.
He saw a pile of envelopes sitting on the main kitchen counter. Hah. You've got mail, Lelouch. He quickly fingered the envelopes, noticing that they were all adressed to Lelouch Williams. Ugh. What a common name. Oh well, it will have to do. At least the Shepherd granted me the same first name as before. They were all either bills or junk mail.
Water and electric - boring. Get a new credit card - scam. Coupons for the grocery store – possibly usefull. I do not know how much money, if any, I will have come into this world with. It is best to be safe, rather than sorry. Plus, he noticed that the apartment was small, although it would fit his lifestyle comfortably.
At the end of the pile of mail there was a plain envelope adressed merely to Lelouch. It had no return adress and looked rich, yet informal. Yes. Just what I've been looking for. This he opened first. As he suspected, it contained a letter from the Shepherd, likely explaining the particulars of his new inhabitance.
He opened a relatively short letter written on thick paper and began to read:
« As I am sure you are aware by now, you have been transported to a different body, a whole new life. However, as I knew of your wish to keep in touch with your former family and friends, I took the liberty of renting you an apartment close to Ashford Academy, and of furnishing it. I hope everything is to your liking. The laptop of course is practical, as you shall be attending school in roughly a week. You are enrolled as a commuting student by the name of Lelouch Williams. You will find the particulars of your fabricated background in the wooden box on the counter. Please remember that this life is temporary, and may end at any time, so use it well. You will not get another chance. Also, you need to be aware that you will no longer have the power of Geass. You will have to learn to relate to people and gain their trust, something that you never were very good at. Good luck.»
The letter remained unsigned, although Lelouch knew who it was from. He looked around for the previously mentioned wooden box, and spotted it tucked in a corner of the counter, between the toaster and refridgerator.
He leaned over and gently pulled it from it's resting place. It was simple mahogany, with a metal clasp holding it together. It didn't look altogether out of sorts in his apartment, although he would be sure to find an apropriate hiding place for this treasure. Placing it in front of him and sitting lightly on a barstool, Lelouch lifted the lid to his new beginning.