Nunnally of the Insurrection
Chapter 25: Meetings and Changes
Kaguya Sumeragi, head of Sumeragi Concern (a large conglomerate that had been founded by the Sumeragi House) was NOT what Cornelia had expected. She looked like a child, though her green eyes also shone with intelligence. She wore formal Japanese robes, and her glossy black hair fell down her back.
"Viceroy, it's an honor to meet you at last," Kaguya said politely.
"Likewise," Cornelia agreed.
Cornelia kept a pleasant smile on her face, tho in reality she wasn't terribly happy. Kaguya was there because Nemo had forced Cornelia into opening a re-negotiation of the Sakuradite trade to be more favourable to Area 11. Admittedly, when Britannia had taken over they had forced down the price of the precious Sakuradite, but still. Fortunes of war,
Still, with Euphemia working to improve relations with the Elevens, it was possibly time to do this. So they were meeting here, at the Settlement, in a public event. This would help the public relations for Britannia, and reassure the Elevens that they were being listened to.
Kaguya smiled faintly as she confided, "I was pleasantly surprised by the invitation, and I look forward to working with you."
"Thank you," Cornelia said. She added as they went inside to the meeting room, "Have you seen your cousin, Suzaku, yet?"
"I'm looking forward to that," Kaguya admitted. "Will your sister be here for the negotiations as well?" she asked.
"She's currently on a good will tour of the larger Area Eleven cites," Cornelia admitted. "She;'s very popular with the Japanese," she added.
"Indeed," Kaguya agreed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"She's ADORABLE!" Milly cried them swept the smaller woman in a hug.
"AWK!" Kaguya yelped.
"Milly!" Nunnally yelled.
Kaguya was visiting Ashford Academy, having finished the morning meetings with Cornelia. She had been a childhood friend of Nunnally, before the war, and of course was here to see her cousin Suzaku. Sadly, she ran into Milly too...
"Are you alright?" Nunnally asked once Milly finally let her go.
"Whoo," Kaguya shook her head breathlessly "I thought I was going to die!"
"Sorry. The President gets carried away at times," Rivalz noted, amused. Under his breath he added, "But what a way to go..."
"Welcome to Ashford Academy," Milly recovered enough self control to say. She smiled, "Suzaku has said SO much about you."
"Where is he, by the way," Kaguya asked politely.
"On his way," Nunnally noted as she heard footsteps in the hall.
Shirley and Suzaku both hurried in, with Suzaku politely waving Shirley in first. Or he was delaying seeing his cousin a few seconds longer, possibly. He strode towards her as he smiled tentatively, "It's been awhile."
"It's good to see you," Kaguya said sincerely, "I was worried about you. Did you recover from your injuries?"
Suzaku realized she was referring to when he had been shot, and felt faintly guilty for not talking to her sooner. "I was lucky, I was only grazed," he explained.
"Good," Kagura smiled. "We may have our differences, but I do worry about you."
Shirley fidgeted nervously as they watched the reunion. This was big, in her mind anyway, and was the closest she'd probably get to meeting Suzaku's family.
"Go say hello," Kallen suggested quietly. The redhead added teasingly, "I'm sure she won't bite."
"i know but..." Shirley blushed a bit.
"I was wondering," Kaguya asked Milly cheerfully, "how hard is it to meet Nemo?"
"Nemo? The leader of the black knights?" Milly asked, surprised. "Why do you want to meet her?" she wondered.
Kaguya beamed, "She's SOOO cool! If she was a man, I'd marry her!"
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"BWA HA HA HA HA!" Ohgi laughed.
"Stop enjoying this so much," Nunnally sighed, dressed in full 'Nemo' gear in the Black Knights headquarters.
"I think it's hilarious," Kallen grinned, having relayed the story to the others.
"Indeed," Tohdoh was fighting back a smile.
Nunnally rolled her eyes. "We need to maintain good relations with her, she's helped support us and our activities."
"But you don't want to marry her," Ohgi grinned.
"Pretty much," Nunnally admitted. "Have we determined where the meet with her and the Kyoto Group will be?" she addressed her team.
"They are staying in one of the Britannian run hotels, we can get you in there no problem," Kallen said confidently.
"You know, you could go see her openly," Tohdoh noted, "we do now have an official relationship with Cornelia, after all."
Nunnally shook her head, "Things could go bad, eventually, so I'd rather keep our connection to Kaguya and her group a secret. Besides, it's safer for her."
"Point," Kallen agreed.
"We'll send a team along for security," Ohgi noted, "And you should have someone with you."
"I don't..." Nunnally started to protest.
"No arguments. I'm DAMN sure some Britannianms would like Nemo dead. And even some Japanese," Ohgi noted reasonably.
Nunnally sighed but had to agree. "Then Ohgi, you're going with me," she said. "But I want to see Kaguya alone, if possible."
"Understood. Kallen, head up security, but keep away from Kaguya. She saw you at Ashford, right?" Ohgi said.
"Right," Kallen nodded.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Kaguya-hime, it's a honor," Nemo bowed, having left Ohgi outside where he was talking with Kaguya's minions.
"it's good to see you again, Nana," Kaguya replied teasingly.
Nemo sighed as she took off her 'disguising' sunglasses. "How long have you known?" she asked as they talked.
"Since the first time we video conferenced," Kaguya admitted, admused.
"Clearly I need a helmet or something," Nunnally noted wryly.
"I think the glasses work, with folks who don't know you," Kaguya reassured her.
"Thanks," Nunnally sighed. She looked at her childhood friend thoughtfully, "Is it going to be a issue for you, having a Britannian helping your resistance?"
Kaguya gave her a sympathetic look, "I know your background, remember."
"Hmm," Nunnally agreed. She chuckled softly as she asked, "So you were joking about the whole marrying Nemo thing?"
"Well, you ARE cute..." Kaguya teased.
"Stop that," Nunnally sighed.
Kaguya snickered softly. "Get your sunglasses back on," she ordered, "I have a present for you."
'A present?' Nunnally thought as she slid the oversized glasses back on.
"Rakshata! Come in please," Kaguya used a intercom to summon someone.
The woman who strode in had long, white-blonde hair, blue eyes and darker skin. She wore a blouse, tight pants and, oddly, a lab coat. She was also carrying a long pipe, in which something fragrant burned gently.
"This is Rakshata Chawla, the head scientist of Kyoto group. She also developed the Gurren we provided you with," Kaguya introduced her.
Nemo got up, bowing slightly, "It's a honor, ma'am." She smiled warmly, "Your Gurren has been a blessing to us. A most impressive machine."
"Thank you," Rakshata purred back, smiling. "I'm certainly glad you appreciate my genius." she added as she took a puff off her smoke.
"While she's been valuable to us," Kaguya noted, "I feel she may be more useful working with your Black Knights."
"I asked to transfer," Rakshata added mildly. "I need more challenges..."
"We would be glad to have you," Nemo answered even as Nunnally wondered where they would get a really good lab for her...
To be continued...
Notes: With things in Japan settling and Nunnally functionally co-ruler of the Area, I need to decide if I want to do the China storyline, or take the characters into Europe instead. Will have to think about it.