Note: I like the idea of Nunnally helping Japan regain financial power as opposed to whatever it was Lelouch was doing throughout season 1.

I'm sorry it's been a while. I was trying to fill out the story by writing another snapshot between this one and the previous, but work has me so tired when I return home that I decided to leave it as is. When I started writing this story, I wanted to leave intentional gaps so that it read more like a drabble series than an intricate story. I have major plot-changing plans, yes, but the idea of Nunnally getting Geass and the consequences is what intrigues me the most to continue writing. I appreciate feedback, and I will work to not have many large narrative skips like the one between this snapshot and the previous.


Snapshot 6

"Now they're calling me Nobody? That's not what I meant," Nunnally said through the suit.

"It's better than poking you to get your attention," Sohma replied. C.C. chuckled.

"Those were some pretty hefty promises you made back then," Ohgi interjected.

They were all around the TV watching the rebroadcast of Nobody's interview with Hi-TV's Diethard Ried. C.C. and Sohma sat on the couch while the others stood.

Oghi pressed the "flashback" button, and Nobody's line played again. "We are going to rebuild our homes in our cities. This has been our home for millennia and we can take care of ourselves. Our dependence on Britannia ends today. They are fools to believe they can terrorize us with their Knightmares and expect us to still financially support their presence in Japan."

"Cornelia will be very angry to hear this," Sohma said while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"She won't care," Kallen said. "They never care." She crossed her arms.

"I am serious," Nobody said. "We're going to remove our support of Area Eleven's economy by boycotting Britannian businesses."

"How?" Sohma crossed his arms.

"By creating jobs in our own communities—the ghettos."

"That's a fine idea and all, but who's going to pay for our services? If you've forgotten, the Japanese people are poor."

"History quiz: Why did Britannia invade Japan?"

"Because they're big bullies," Kallen muttered under her breath.

Nobody shook his head. "Try again," he said.

For a moment, the Japanese resistance members talked to themselves, believing it to be a trick question.

"You want to control the Sakuridite mines," Sohma concluded.

Nobody pointed to him. "Bingo."


If the Houses of Kyoto could remain self sufficient, Nunnally had a chance of freeing these Japanese from Britannian dependency. And the Sakuridite mines? She had no idea how she would pull them from Britannia's hands.

She walked through downtown Tokyo Settlement, cursing C.C.'s taste in clothes. Although she wore opaque tights, she often had to tug the hem of the dress to push it down. She only wore it because C.C. informed her that her current wardrobe made her look five years younger. However, she did not expect so many people to stare at her. She was thankful the blush on her pale face could easily be attributed to the hot sun rather than her growing embarrassment. Many people glanced towards her lower extremities, and a couple of women even looked at her face with a sneer. They quickly passed her by; everyone had somewhere to go to. In her bag was a list of Britannian construction businesses that she had found using the phone directory. The Japanese resistance group already had a hefty list of expectations for "Nobody." She should focus on getting them done instead of running her mouth to make the list longer. Her first step was repairing the damage done to the Shinjuku ghetto.

She knew about business queries, but she had a different target in mind. She had been following the directions of kind passers-by to locate the tall steel building that included James Hart Construction. Nunnally walked inside and between two large metal detectors. Many people in pressed trousers and blazers brushed past without any reaction. Her eyes were drawn to the stark contrast between the white porous walls, and the beautiful brown glass floor.

"Good afternoon, Miss," a woman stationed at a wall desk greeted Nunnally.

"Um-yes, hello." Nunnally pivoted awkwardly on her right foot and walked up to the desk.

"How are you? How may I help you today?"

"I'm good, thank you. My daddy is actually planning on annexing a new shoe closet for me, so he told me to choose a contractor."

"I'm happy that you and your father are considering us for your patronage, Miss erm..."

"May. Scarlett May."

The woman passed her some papers to fill out, and Nunnally hesitated. She rested her hand over the alphabet, hoping the ability to read them would return. She leaned against the desk.

"You see, my dad is in the middle of a big deal that will bring us into a crap-ton of recognition and scrutiny." Nunnally cupped her mouth as she spoke. "We're only doing business with clean companies."

The woman suppressed a smile. "Miss May, we are one of the most highly recommend contractors in Japan. I can assure you, our record is clean."

"You hire Japanese workers, no?"

"Of course. Most Britannians are not drawn to the construction trade, but the Elevens are more than willing to find work for such prestigious patrons."

"Yeah," Nunnally said under her breath. "Even if they're working for pennies?" Nunnally asked her.

The woman's face darkened. Her eyes darted to her right, and Nunnally noticed her neighbor peering over intently. "Miss, I don't believe we can meet your needs this afternoon."

"I don't think so," Nunnally replied. She extended her right arm towards the woman. "Thank you for your help."

The woman shook the girl's hand.

Tellmetellmetellme

Nunnally's Geass activated during the short exchange, demanding information on company scandals. To her dismay, this woman was near the middle of the corporate food chain, and was not privy to any specific incident. She passed her fingertips over her list, reading the address of the next company.


"I could have told you that was pointless," C.C. told Nunnally. "There's no way you would encounter any big fish while walking in the front door."

"Why didn't you tell me, then?" Nunnally fanned herself with a folder.

C.C. shrugged. She finished unbuttoning the Ashford Academy coat. "Don't you guys have a summer uniform?" she asked.

"Nope," Nunnally frowned.

Lelouch opened the door, dressed as a bartender. He was surprised to see C.C. with his sister. "Sorry, I didn't know you were in here too," he said to the green-haired girl.

He looked at Nunnally before embracing her. "I wanted to say goodbye before I headed to work." He let go of her. "You're sweaty," he noted with wide eyes.

"Yeah," Nunnally giggled. "I ended up dozing off while sitting outside."

"Sayako wasn't with you?"

"She was—but Lelouch, I don't have to be watched every moment."

"...You're right. I worry a lot about you, Nunnally." He smiled and took her hand.

"You don't have to worry about me today. All I need is a bath and I'll be on my way."

"You're going somewhere at this hour?" He looked at C.C.

"Just to the library. Nunnally needs help with some research," C.C. said.

"That's nice of you, C.C. What are you researching, Nunnally?"

Nunnally almost bit her tongue. "I am looking into exploitation of the Japanese people by Britannian corporations following the invasion."

"Your teacher is... okay with that?" Lelouch asked.

"Oh, you'll be surprised how little Mr. Bauer cares," Nunnally answered.

Lelouch sat on Nunnally's bed, and C.C. scooted over, pulling her knees to her chest.

"What is your thesis?" Lelouch asked.

"The economic power of Britannian industries in Area Eleven is rooted in the exploitation of their underpaid Japanese workforce."

"And you're currently looking into construction contractors?"

She nodded. "I spoke to some of them today, but none of them are willing to talk to me."

"Of course not. If you want them to squeal you need to hit high and hard. If you want to hit high you need to—"

"Aren't you supposed to discourage her from doing something dangerous and go to work?" C.C. harshly interjected. She leaned forward on her arms and stared at Lelouch for a few seconds. When he didn't back down, she scoffed and left.

"I still have a few more minutes to spend with my sister," he said aloud. He redirected his focus to Nunnally. "You need to speak to the Japanese workers themselves. I'm sure you'll discover the Britannians have a lot of dirty laundry hidden there. You can ask anyone any question with the ideal leverage."

"Thank you, big brother," Nunnally said slowly. C.C.'s outburst worried her.

Lelouch kissed her forehead. "See you tomorrow," he said while leaving. He stopped, turned around and finished, "Ah, don't do anything too dangerous." He chuckled to himself.


After her shower, Nunnally went to C.C.'s room. She held her fist up to knock on the door, but overheard the girl talking to someone.

"You can't keep playing these games. It's not right," C.C. said. Her voice was hot.

After a pause, she continued. "My interests are our interests. You know that." She tried to relax her voice.

"Please..." C.C. groaned, and she wiped her eyes.

Nunnally knocked on the door.

"I'm ready," C.C. said. She stood up and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Okay, let's go," Nunnally said, trying to force a smile.

C.C. held onto the handles of Nunnally's wheelchair. "I mean, I'm ready to tell you the details of our contract—part of it, at least."

Nunnally tensed up. Did it have something to do with the conversation she overheard?

C.C. took a deep breath. "In exchange for the magnificent power of Geass I granted you one month ago, I want you to kill someone."

So that's it then? "O-of course. You saved my life, so I... I..." Nunnally tried to justify her task.

"I'm sorry. If I could do it myself..." She bit her lip. "I would," C.C. said. "If it's any consolation, the killing will be a righteous one."

Nunnally trembled. To kill? The ultimate sin...to take the life of another... How could she do such a thing? Why would C.C. ask her to commit such a terrible act?

"I'm so sorry," C.C. said to herself during the, otherwise silent, walk to the library.