I'm posting late because I haven't had time to sit down and type. I'm with relatives at the moment, which means I have to help provide entertainment. That, and I was forced to go shopping. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate shopping, it just isn't my favorite. Anyway, this chapter is from Vierra's point of view. If I were to choose the character I've been the meanest to, I'd say it would be Vierra. The poor girl just doesn't seem to get a break.
Yuki: You could always give her one.
SnowyNeko: I have to keep the story moving, and that can mean being mean.
Lelouch: So how're going to make it up to her?
SnowyNeko: I have no idea.
Sebastian: You could-
SnowyNeko: SHUSHUMS! I want to come up with it myself!
Lelouch: How's her life been going in Fruits Basket?
Yuki: She's been enjoying herself.
SnowyNeko: I bet. Fruits Basket was a bit of a wake up call for her.
Sebastian: Wake up call?
SnowyNeko: She wasn't appreciating life at all.
Lelouch: SnowyNeko doesn't own any of the animes or their characters.
SnowyNeko: The original characters are mine, though.
I feel as if she's just slapped me across the face. It isn't her mind reading ability that shocks me, but what she's revealed with it. My past is not something I openly share with people, even less so when I've only known the people for a day. Not only has she blurted it out for everyone to hear, she's also gone as far as to dig into Yuki and Kara's histories. She's got Kara cowering and her demon unable to speak in her defense. Yuki's hands are quivering. I don't need to ask to know that N.N. reminds him of Akito. The only difference is that her lashes are confined to words.
"What do you plan on doing with us, then?" Tori asks her. N.N turns to the two souls she has yet to bare for us. Tori meets her eyes with a steady gaze that suggests she's faced off with people like her before. Her bravery doesn't throw N.N. off at all.
"Manipulating, of course," she tells Tori like it was obvious. "You should know quite a bit about that, Princess Victoria Vi Britannia. You and your brother are masters of it, after all. We're a lot alike. The both of us look to overthrow the current ruler of our beloved countries no matter what the cost. Although, our reasons are a little different. Lelouch and I are more similar in that aspect."
Tori says nothing, trying not to give anything away, but her silence seems to encourage N.N. Or maybe it's because N.N. knows exactly what she's thinking no matter how well she hides her emotions.
"He hasn't told you!" N.N. claps her hands in delight like a small child. "Oh, that's rich! He's decided to hide the Zero Requiem from you! Well then, should I tell you what he's planning?"
"That's enough!" Lelouch explodes, anger coloring his features. Whatever N.N. wants to disclose, it's clearly something he can't have getting out. His anger is his manifestation of panic.
"I trust him to tell me if he wants to," Tori says, refusing her offer.
"But you're so curious! You're mind is racing faster than I've ever seen anyone's! And Lelouch is rivaling you, no, surpassing you! I see why Mao enjoyed going after the two of you! Your minds are simply exquisite."
"Hey!" I draw N.N's attention, flinching when she faces me. "You said you're going to use us to manipulate something. Are you going to explain?"
N.N. sneers. "How courageous, distracting me from the siblings so I won't hurt them. I'll reward you, then."
I glance over at Tori and Lelouch for a second before riveting my sight on N.N. They're siblings? I would've guessed they were going out, but that just shows how much I know. They don't look related, though.
"That's because they're only half siblings," N.N. informs me. "Now, to your spoken question. I'm aiming to overthrow the current monarch, but not many side with me since we're already in the middle of a struggle with the demons. Having one on my side might help my cause. Also, the geass Tori and Lelouch posses could come in handy on many occasions. Not to mention, your pretty boyfriend has an interesting ability of his own."
"When would such a curse be helpful?" Yuki asks.
"Sneaking into places, of course." She gives him a devilish smile. "A very handy eavesdropping tool. The varying time limit will be a pain, though."
I stay quiet. She's paying attention to Sebastian because he's a demon, Kara because she can control him with her. She recognizes Tori and Lelouch because of their 'powers', and Yuki because he can turn into a rat. I, however, have no use to her. The most I should try to do is protect Yuki. If I can stay out of her line of sight, it could possibly become advantageous. I just have to pray she doesn't read my thoughts. I have to keep her attention diverted elsewhere.
"Help me without trouble," N.N. continues, "and I'll make sure you all return safely to your respectful universes. If you refuse..." She'll make sure it won't happen. I wonder what exactly would happen if she kept us here. I imagine horrible things, but I honestly have no idea. The only hint we've been giving is that everything will die.
"Question. What are you going to tell the others? You were put in here to interrogate us, so what're you going to do?" Tori inquires.
"I have my ways. That's not anything for you to worry about. Are we in agreement?"
"I want to get this over with," Kara mumbles in defeat. Sebastian bows his head, compliant. Whatever his mistress says, I guess.
"We have a deal," Lelouch concedes.
Tori sighs. "It shouldn't factor as too big a delay."
"I don't care," I growl. "I'm with Kara. I just want this over and done."
"Why not?" Yuki frowns.
"Perfect," N.N. smirks. "Allow me to lead you to your cells. For the time being, you're to be treated as prisoners. I can guarantee your liberation before three days pass if you cooperate. I'll come to request your assistance at a later time."
She scans a card dangling around her neck and walks out into the hallway. Tori and Lelouch move to follow her, and I wait for Sebastian and Kara before going after her myself. I'm not sure precisely how I'll be able to help, but just in case...It's best if she neglects to notice me.
"In here. The space is nice, but with six of you, it'll be cramped. You'll have to live with it for the moment." N.N. waits impatiently for us to enter, tapping her foot. We file in like school children scolded by their teacher. Our obedience puts a spark of pleasure in her eyes. I can't hide a scowl as I pass her. Her smile only grows when she sees it. I'm not sure I've ever been so disgusted with a person.
Yuki is the last to enter, the door slammed behind him. A loud sizzling sound buzzes for a few seconds before all is still. I try the door, finding it locked. That must've been what the noise was. N.N. hadn't lied when she told us the room is cramped. There's only one bed, not even queen sized. The space itself is equivalent to the kitchen at the Sohma house. How long do they plan to keep all of us in here? Do we have to spend the night in this room?
Apparently so, because the clock in the wall (in, not on) ticks by without any interruption from people outside ourselves. The time reads eight pm. How does time manage to crawl by so slowly? There isn't even a deck of cards to relieve our boredom. I mean, couldn't they install a T.V. in here or something? Anything to occupy my mind with would work.
"It doesn't look like they're getting us tonight," I conclude.
"Then we should work out the sleeping arrangements," Lelouch proposes. He always seems to step up in situations like this, a natural leader. I guess he is the leader of a rebellion going on somewhere, sometime. It would be unusual if he was hesitant.
"There is nothing to arrange," Sebastian tells him. "The girls will have the bed and you two will sleep on the floor."
"Us two? What about you?"
"Demons do not sleep, Lelouch," Kara yawns. "I'm good with that. Does anyone object?" Of course, no one does. I would give up sleeping on the bed so Yuki could, but if any other girls slept there I'd get jealous. Not only that, there's his curse to consider. It wouldn't be good if he transformed in the middle of the night and got squashed. He wouldn't accept if I offered, anyway.
"I'll be in the middle," Kara volunteers. "That is, unless one of you would rather?"
"Go for it," I grin. She must be a snuggler. Whenever Cassidy and I stayed over at someone's house and we had to share one bed, she always wanted to be in the middle. In the morning, either her friend or I would wake up with her latched onto us. I wonder how Cassidy is. Last time I saw her, she was stuck in a game world. I bet it was another universe melding into that one that caught her there. Perhaps when we finish this, she'll wake up. Aunt and Uncle would certainly be ecstatic. They had their niece hospitalized, then their daughter, then their niece commit suicide. Even after theses months since I've 'died', they're probably still in shock.
"Wait, are you guys alright with sleeping by me?" I ask. "You heard what Mary said earlier, right? I'm dead."
Kara laughs. "Well so am I, technically. Attacked by a dog back when the roman empire still existed."
"You're fine," Tori assures me.
So with that, we climb into bed. I have to hold in a chuckle when the boys pull back the sheets for us. We're in a prison cell, this isn't the time to treat us like princesses. That reminds me...
"Hey Tori, didn't N.N. call you Princess Victoria something earlier? Are you royalty?"
She's quiet for a moment before responding, "Yes, I am. I'm the third princess of the Britannian emperor. I don't think our empire existed in your time period."
"So let me get this straight," Kara says. "You and your brother, Lelouch, are prince and princess aiming to overthrow their father?"
"That's the gist of it. Don't think too hard on it. We simply don't like the way he runs things, and want to create a better world."
"You make it sound noble," Lelouch snickers.
"Well, our methods may not be," Tori admits, "but I think our reasons are understandable. Trying peacefully wouldn't get us far, though."
"So," I yawn, "should we refer to you as prince and princess?"
"Don't worry about it," Tori sighs. "I'm not a fan of the title, and no one has addressed Lelouch in that way for years."
"Well, glad that's cleared up. I thought you two were a couple. We should get to sleep. We don't know what N.N. is going to have us do in the morning."
And so the lights go off. Yuki sleeps o the floor on my side, so I reach down to grasp his hand. It's the best we can do, since hugging doesn't work. Sure enough, as I predicted, Kara is curled up the best she can, pressing against my beck. She's the type who has a difficult time going to sleep on her own. Must be because she grew up with a twin.
"Goodnight, everyone," I murmur dreamily. "Sweet dreams."
To some extent, I think Kara reminds Vierra of Cassidy. Their personalities are somewhat similar. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've written a scene with Cassidy in it other than when Vierra found her in the hospital wearing nervegear. I was planning to write another fanfiction about SAO and Cassidy, but it didn't work out that way. I already have a character set up for another story after this one, so Cassidy won't be getting her time in the spotlight for some time if ever. She's still a character of mine, though, since she is included in Vierra's background, and I love her as much as the others. I've drawn a few pictures of Tori, Vierra, and Kara, and in all them Cassidy was there too. In my most recent picture, I also drew the girl I'm planning on using in my next story. I can't wait to introduce all of you guys to her!
Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!