Sitting in the middle of the deserts of Arizona, the grand Imperial city of Pendragon, capital city of the Holy Britannian Empire gleamed in the late evening sun, the magnitude of lights in the city springing into being as the light gave way to dark. Street and road lights came to life, even as many of the inhabitants of the city began their final trek to their homes.
Chief among all the lights were those that surrounded the Pendragon Imperial Palace, the residence of the ninety-eighth emperor, Charles zi Britannia, the large palace taking up the most space in the city. The building stood as an imposing edifice to Britannian Imperial might and power, the building rising above all of the cities, almost as if to challenge the surrounding mountains. The interior of the building reflected this splendour too: high-vaulted ceilings supported by grand marble arches, richly done paintings and splendidly carved busts of long dead emperors and empress' lined each corridor and filled each room, as if to remind it's inhabitants that they were walking in the shadows of dead titans.
Not that Nonette Enneagram, Knight of Nine, cared. Although, then again, she never really seemed to care about that sort of thing. Currently lounging on her stomach on one of the plush sofas in the room reserved for the Knights of the Round, the elite warriors of the Britannian Empire, the champagne-haired woman resembled a cat more than a feared knightmare pilot. This was normal on most days though, since Nonette did whatever she felt like doing.
And currently she was...
"Bored!" The woman moaned aloud, making it sound more like an insult that a statement.
With a sigh, the other occupant of the room closed her book before placing in on the small table in the middle of the room. Dorothea Ernst, Knight of Four, pinched the bridge of her nose at her companions antics.
"Then find something to do." The dark-skinned and black-haired woman said, managing to sound like an adult scolding a young child.
"But there's nothing TO do. That's the problem." Nonette said, raising herself up before flopping down onto her side, holding her arm across her eyes. "There's no wars going on, so the Emperor's not gonna make us do anything."
Dorothea simply sighed as she stood up to pour herself some tea. She knew what Nonette was like: without any form of action she just turned into someone akin to a child. Granted a child who sometimes had the mind of a perverted old man and a slight love of violence, although thankfully nothing on the same level as Luciano Bradley, but a child all the same. She just needed someone to help give her that little push. And unfortunately, that someone was usually her.
"How about going to see an opera?" Dorothea asked, putting some sugar in her drink.
"Can't stand them." The other woman simply replied.
"A film?"
"There's hardly anything good."
"Maybe read a book"
Nonette gave sharp single laugh. "Not a chance."
"Fine then," Dorothea said, already resigning herself to babysitting duty again. "What about a holiday then?"
Nonette didn't say anything for a few moments before pulling herself into a sitting position. Dorothea was admittedly taken aback.
"Now there's a thought." Nonette finally said, a smile coming to her face, before leaping off the sofa in a single bound. "It's been a while since I've been on a holiday."
Dorothea smiled sweetly, secure in the fact that she finally had the other woman out of her hair, letting her...
"Where should we go?"
Dorothea blinked in confusion. "We"
Nonette nodded. "Uh-huh. Where should we go?"
Dorothea began stammering, obviously confused. "W-why me? Why not Anya, or Gino? Or Monica?"
Nonette simply shrugged. "You suggested the idea. It's only right that I take you along too."
Dorothea really didn't know what to say. Granted, it was nice of Nonette to offer to take her on a holiday, especially considering that she hadn't been on a holiday for a good while, but to actually go with Nonette?
'Eh, could be worse.' she shrugged as she thought to herself.
"Where should we go then?" Dorothea asked, setting her teacup down before crossing her arms.
Nonette drummed a finger against her chin, thinking hard on where to go.
"How about Area 11?" Nonette asked.
"Area 11?" Dorothea's eyes widened. "But they've got a terrorist problem."
Nonette simply shrugged. "So we take our Knightmares. Relax a bit, then kick some terrorist arse. Have a bit of fun, you know."
She was silent for a moment, before Dorothea let out a chuckle.
"I'll get packed." She simply said, retrieving her book from the table before walking out of the room.
The silence in the car was almost stifling as the motorcade carrying Ciaran and Darlton made it's way down the main road to the Tokyo Settlement University. Although to call it a motorcade was stretching it a bit since it was made of two deep blue, bulletproof cars, one a limousine the other a simple staff car, each bearing the symbol of the Britannian Imperial family. The insides were leather, with woodwork panelling, and various other amenities for high-class nobles and important visitors.
Not that Darlton or Ciaran used either of them. Currently, the two men were sitting on opposite sides of the car, Darlton leafing through a file held in his large hands, while Ciaran just sat staring out of the window, his eyes fixed on something only he could see.
Glancing up from the file, the general let out a small sigh. He would have to be blind to not notice the way the young man had changed after the skirmish in Saitama, and he didn't like it. Euphemia herself had told him her own worries on the matter and she was as worried as he was. The boy had something to say, but he wouldn't talk.
"Why are we going to the university again, sir?" The young man asked, causing Darlton to close the file and look at the person across from him. Ciaran was still looking out of the window.
"We're going to check on the a small project that princess Cornelia feels could be beneficial to the army."
"Understandable." The man simply said, resting his elbow on the window sill of the car door.
Silence filled the interior for several more moments before Ciaran spoke up again.
"They say it gets easier. Dealing with death."
Darlton nodded, knowing what the young man was referring too. "It comes easier to some men than to others."
Ciaran kept looking out of the window before turning to look at the older general.
"Is it easy for you, sir?"
Darlton was silent for a moment.
"Not really, no."
Ciaran smiled softly, which Darlton returned.
"I know you spoke to Euphemia about it, but if you ever want to talk about it, Cornelia, Guilford or I am here for you."
"I know, sir." Ciaran said, lightly scratching the side of his nose. "I just needed a bit of a mope, I think."
Darlton was taken aback for a moment before his booming laugh filled the car.
"So you got me worried over nothing?" He said, his voice a mix of humour and shock.
Ciaran simply shrugged, as Darlton continued laughing, their convoy rolling towards their destination.
The duo made their way through the entrance of the university, the faculty and students keeping a respectable distance away from the officers as they made their way to the front-desk. Darlton kept his eyes forward while Ciaran's scanned the large atrium.
"Who's gonna be our guide, sir?" Ciaran asked, slightly confused.
"Her." Darlton replied, gesturing towards the front-desk. Standing there was a woman wearing a dark orange uniform, with indigo hair and blue eyes. She stood near the desk, looking around, but when her eyes settled on the form of the general, she stood at a slightly relaxed form of attention.
"Good morning to you, general Darlton." The woman said, smiling sweetly at the older man.
"Miss Croomy, good morning to you too." Darlton said amicably as he and Ciaran walked over. "Lieutenant Forsyth, allow me introduce you to Miss Cécile Croomy, member of Special Research Division Camelot. Miss Croomy, Lieutenant Ciaran Forsyth, the newest member of Princess Cornelia's Royal Guard."
Ciaran offered his hand which Cécile took and shook gently. "Call my Cecile."
"Call me Ciaran." The young man replied.
"So... are you here to check on the Lancelot, sir?" Cecile said, turning to look at the general, who merely nodded. "Follow me then." The woman said, gesturing down a hall behind her, the two officers falling into step behind her.
"So, Ciaran." This got the young man to look up at her, his face still a tiny shade of red. "How long have you been in the princess' Royal Guard."
"Just a couple of weeks." He said simply. It was an inaccurate statement in the least, but it still got Darlton to shoot him a warning look.
Cecile simply nodded her head. "Where did you serve with before, if you don't mind me asking?"
The young man quickly gave Darlton a worried look. Out of all the things they had discussed, this was definitely not one of them. All he had been given was a rank, uniform and an ID card. No-one had said anything about his background.
Thankfully, Cecile continued speaking, not noticing the young man's distress.
"Although your last name is familiar. Weren't the Forsyths one of the families who helped the Loyalists escape from Edinburgh to the Homeland?"
"Why, yes they were." Darlton replied, a look of surprise on his face as he remembered his history. "I believe it was the Duke Hector Forsyth that stayed behind with one of the Scots regiments to help cover the Royal flagship as it left the harbour in Glasgow."
Cecile turned back to look at the young lieutenant. "But you're still a lieutenant. I'd have thought that someone with your family history could have gotten a higher rank."
Ciaran merely shrugged. "I think my accent should have given it away, but I'm not a native Britannian. Even with my family pedigree, they didn't wholly trust me enough to hold a higher rank."
The indigo-haired woman merely nodded. It sounded like a good explanation, even though Ciaran was completely bullshitting. He was pretty sure Darlton knew it, but if he did, the man didn't show it.
Eventually the trio reached a large metal door, which Cecile opened with a thumbprint scan recogniser. Seconds after, the door opened with a hiss, steam emitting from the gap in the door.
"Just as warning, sirs, the temperature in the room is much colder than in the corridor due to the need to stop the metals from overheating." Cecile said.
"Sounds like it's gonna be interesting." Ciaran said with a smile, before a cold shiver went down his spine as the cold seeped from the door.
The room would have resembled more of a mechanic's garage than scientists laboratory if it wasn't for the large white Knightmare that filled the space in the middle of the room. Ciaran let out a low 'whoof' at the mech before him. It was the same height as the Sutherland and the Gloucester frames, but with a single large crest in the middle of the units head. It's armour plating was much more sleek and rounded, looking more like actual armour than the other Knightmares, painted white with a gold inlay.
"It's a remarkable machine, isn't it?" A quite high-pitched but distinctly masculine voice said, drawing Ciaran's attention. From behind a bank of computers, a tall man, round about the same height as Darlton, with lavender hair and light blue eyes appeared. He was wearing a long white overcoat and glasses.
"Ah, professor Asplund." General Darlton said, he and Cecile turning to face the newcomer.
"Please, please, general, call me Lloyd." The professor said, waving his hand dismissively, as he continued towards the young lieutenant. "So... what do you think of it?"
The man was balancing on the balls of his feet, waiting for Ciaran to answer.
"It's impressive, I'll give you that," the young man said flatly, keeping the awe out of his voice as he looked at the machine again. "Although I'm not too taken on the colour, if I'm honest."
"You what!?" Lloyd said, lurching back as if Ciaran had just shoved a hot branding iron at him. "You don't like... the colour is the most important part!" The professor practically screamed, catching Ciaran by surprise.
"Actually," Cecile cut in, "The colour choice doesn't really matter."
Rounding on Cecile, the bespectacled man opened his mouth to speech again before Darlton beat him to the punch.
"Professor Lloyd, I have urgent matters to discuss with you. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"
Lloyd looked between Ciaran and the general before sighing. "Yes, general. Follow me." And with that the two exited the room, leaving Ciaran and Cecile with the white Knightmare.
"Don't mind him, Ciaran," the woman said apologetically, "He's just very protective of the Lancelot."
"I can see that." Ciaran admitted, idly rubbing the back of his head as he faced the woman. "And he's balls-to-the-wall mad too."
Cecile shrugged. "He is who he is."
Ciaran couldn't argue with that logic. Although he also didn't want to, since the cold of the room was beginning to get to him, as he rubbed his arms through his sleeves.
"Do you want to go somewhere warmer, Ciaran?"
"Yes please." Ciaran said quickly, as he followed the indigo-haired woman out of room, the door closing behind them.
Standing near a vending machine, Cecile drew some loose change from her pocket as her new compatriot scanned the drinks choices.
"Is there anything you'd like?" The woman asked.
"I'll just go for a Cola." The man said, gesturing at the machine. Inserting the change, Cecile pressed the button for the drink which came out a moment later. The young man took the can as Cecile entered more money and pressed the same button. Soon the two were sitting on a nearby bench in amicable silence.
"How is it in the royal guard, if you don't mind me asking?" Cecile said out of the blue, catching Ciaran by surprise.
"Yeah, it's not too bad. I'm mainly helping princess Euphemia with her duties," Ciaran replied, taking a drink from his can. "What's it like working for Lloyd?"
Cecile chuckled. "Tiring, to use a single word."
The young man nodded in understanding. "So, is it just you working with him or is there another poor soul who gets to suffer along with you?"
The woman chuckled again. "No, there's several other people, but since we use people out of the other engineering corps or the university staff, sometimes it's just myself, Lloyd and the Lancelot's pilot."
"Yeah, where is the pilot?" Ciaran asked, looking around the area as if the pilot would suddenly show-up. "I'd have thought he'd be here for the inspection."
"Unfortunately, he's got more pressing matters to contend with at the moment." Cecile said, finishing the last of her drink and putting the can in the bin.
"What could be more important than a military inspection?" Ciaran asked, slightly taken aback.
"Exams." The woman said simply.
"Ah." Ciaran simply said in return, grimacing before he carried on with his drink. He remembered his exams. They were not nice. "So how old is he? Or is that classified info?"
"Seventeen." Cecile said, resting her chin on her arm which she propped up on her knee.
Ciaran blinked in confusion for several seconds before he finally spoke.
"You're bullshitting me?"
Cecile shook her head, a sad look plain on her face. "He's in Ashford Academy, just across the street. Do you want to meet him?"
Standing up, Ciaran upended his can, downing the last of it before tossing it in to the bin.
"I think I do."
After informing Darlton of where they were going, the duo left the university and headed over to Ashford Academy.
"You Britannians do not do things by half, do you?" Ciaran said as he and Cecile stood in the pathway that lead to Ashford Academy. After passing through the front gate and security, which was made much easier simply by the Briton wearing the uniform of the royal guard, the duo made their way to the large and extravagant building complex.
"It is a bit over-the-top, yes," Cecile admitted as the two made their way up some steps towards the main building. "But if it serves it's purpose, then who are we to complain?"
"Fair point." The young man conceded as the duo entered the building. Classes seemed to be on, as there were hardly any students in the hallways meaning they could walk around unimpeded, although it did make their progress to finding the Lancelot's pilot a little bit difficult, the duo wandering around the school somewhat aimlessly.
Thankfully, as they were walking down one corridor, a member of the faculty happened to appear.
"Excuse me, sir," Cecile asked, catching the man's attention. "We're looking for Suzaku Kururugi. Do you have any idea where he could be?"
The teacher paused a moment, looking the pair of officers up and down, visibly a little hesitant that two soldiers, one a royal guardsman would be after a student.
"He's currently in class. Room A-4. Is it an emergency?"
"Not as such, no," Ciaran answered. "We're just looking to have a word with the young lad at the earliest convenience."
"Well in that case, you'd be best waiting in the student council room. I know that Kururugi was made a member of the council so waiting there would be your best bet. Follow me."
Following the teacher, the duo were shown to a spacious room, with a large table and chairs in the middle, a small desk set to into one corner and what appeared to be a cat's climbing frame where a slightly pudgy dark grey cat resided.
Cecile sat down on one of the chairs while Ciaran went over to the cat who was busy cleaning himself, just as the bell rang.
"Do you think we'll have to wait long?" Ciaran asked, giving the pudgy cat a small scratch behind the ear, the cat responding with a pleased purr.
"... and for the last time, Rivalz, I'm not gonna let you cheat off of me for the exam!"
"Why not?!"
At that, the door opened, a trio teenage boys walking in. They were all about the same height as Ciaran and Cecile, but with varying features. One of them had brown hair and green eyes, but of obvious Japanese descent, holding himself quite smartly. The other two as opposite as possible: one had a shock of blue hair with expressive grey eyes with a slightly slouched posture, while the other possessed ebony hair with purple, bored eyes. The three were engrossed in their conversation. However, upon entering the room, the brown-haired boy stood stock still, surprise plain on his face.
"Miss Cecile? What are you doing here?" The boy asked before he saw Ciaran who was still scratching the cat behind the ear. "Lieutenant, sir! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." The boy snapped off a smart salute. The two other boys simply exchanged a confused look.
"It's all right, Suzaku," Cecile said, standing up from her chair. "Ciaran, this is boy I was telling you about, warrant-officer Suzaku Kururugi. Suzaku, this is lieutenant Ciaran Forsyth of princess Cornelia's royal guard."
Ciaran responded by waving the boy's hand down. "Put you hand down, Suzaku. This isn't a formal visit." He gave a small smile as he walked closer to the boy, offering his hand. "In this instance, just call me Ciaran."
Suzaku lowered his hand, confusion plain on his face before he took the hand. "Pleased to meet you, sir- I mean, Ciaran. Umm... why are you here though, if you don't mind me asking."
"Well, you're the pi- ow!" Ciaran began, before he felt a pinch on his upper arm. He looked incredulously at Cecile who merely narrowed her eyes at him. "I mean, you're the young man Cecile mentioned, and I wanted to meet you. Seventeen years old and you're a warrant-officer. That's an achievement."
"If you say so, Mr Ciaran." Suzaku said, simply shrugging before perking up slightly. "Oh, let me introduce you to my friends."
"This is Rivalz." He placed his arm around the shoulder of the blue haired boy, who's face lit up.
"Pleased to meet cha both." Rivalz said, taking Ciaran's hand before enthusiastically shaking it, before moving onto Cecile.
"And this is Lelouch." Suzaku said, putting his hand on the ebony haired boy's shoulder.
"Nice to meet you." Lelouch took Ciaran's hand in a calm handshake, the boy's clinical voice not matching up with his smile.
"Well, this is certainly an interesting bunch." Ciaran admitted after the exchange of greetings. "And I'll be honest, Suzaku, but I'm surprised to meet a Japanese with the rank of warrant-officer in the Britannian army."
"Yes. Princess Cornelia isn't too fond of letting Numbers work in the military, especially now that Zero's arrived." Cecile chimed in.
"Understandable," Ciaran said, scratching his chin. "Counterinsurgency can be stymied a bit because of locals sympathising with the insurgents."
"You think Suzaku's a terrorist?" Rivalz asked, surprised.
"If he was, he wouldn't be in the military." Ciaran said pointedly. "And no, I do not think so."
"Shouldn't be surprising that a Britannian has such an opinion of our friend." Lelouch said, a little testily.
Ciaran raised a finger. "Ah, but I'm not Britannian. I'm British."
Rivalz slammed a closed fist into his open palm. "I thought your accent was strange!"
The young man chuckled, sitting back down in his chair.
Soon, the conversation flowed, Rivalz rambling on, asking him about why he was here and other things. Sometimes, Ciaran managed to steer the conversation towards Suzaku, asking him about how he was faring in the army, and towards Lelouch, just asking him whatever questions came to mind.
It was nice. It reminded him of his time in high school and sixth form, being around people his own age. A life he'd never get back, if he could.
Lelouch couldn't believe his luck. A member of the Britannian military at Ashford. And a member of Cornelia's royal guard no less.
'This will make my plans progress much more smoothly.' He thought to himself, as the four continued their conversation, not one of them noticing the near feral smile playing on his face.
The unexpected ringing of a phone drew their attention, the guardsman reaching into his pocket to take out the offending device.
"Ciaran here. Yes, general, we're in Ashford Academy." The lieutenant said talking into the receiver. "Yeah. No, we're pretty much finished here. Yes, we're on our way out. See you soon general. Good bye."
Pocketing the device, the man stood up, stretching out his back. "Well, it looks like that's me done. Shall we go, Cecile?"
"Yes, I think it would be best. Nice meeting you both." The woman said, standing up and offering her hand to Rivalz and Lelouch, who shook it gently. "And I'll see you soon Suzaku." The woman gave Suzaku a genuine smile, waving her hand.
"Yeah, I hope to see you guys again," Ciaran said, offering his hands to the boys. Turning to look at Suzaku, he put a hand on his shoulder. "And Suzaku, if you need anything, just contact me, okay?"
Lelouch couldn't mask his surprise at that. Neither did Suzaku.
"Umm... I'm not sure that's..."
"Suzaku," The lieutenant said sternly, "I mean it. If you ever need help, just contact me. And I'll do my best."
The boy was taken aback by the show of kindness, not that Lelouch blamed him.
"I'm not Britannian, I'm British, Suzaku, just as you're Japanese. As such, I will not follow how these people act about race. You and me, we're both soldiers without a home. We need to band together."
"I-if you say so, sir." Suzaku said, more than a little bit confused, but also quite pleased.
Ciaran smiled broadly and gave him a pat on the shoulder before making his way to the door.
"Coming, Cecile?"
Moving quickly, the female officer followed her companion out of the door, giving the trio a small wave and a "good bye" before exiting, leaving the three boys in a state of confusion.
"Well... they're a nice pair." Rivalz said after a while, breaking the silence, a genuine smile on his face. "Looks like the army's treating you well, hey Suzaku?"
Looking at the door, Lelouch got up and made his way to the door.
"Where you going, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, looking at this friend.
"Huh. Oh. Sorry, I've got something to take care of for Nunnally. I'll be back in a little while." He said simply before slipping out of the door.
It didn't take long before he came across the duo of officers, their uniforms making them stand out against the black and tan uniforms of the student body. Working his way through the crowd, he came up behind the pair.
"Excuse me! Lieutenant!" He called out, managing to catch up to the pair.
Turning, the young man looked at the teenager a sincere smile on his face.
"What's up... Lelouch, right?" The officer said, trying to place the name.
"That's right, sir. Can I talk to you in private about something?"
The officer looked him in the eye for a second before turning to Cecile. "This'll only take a moment. I'll catch up."
Lelouch smiled inwardly as he watch the female officer nod before he and the royal guardsman walked down a side hall. It wasn't long before they made their way to an empty classroom.
"So... what can I do for you?" The man said, crossing his arms and leaning against the teacher's desk.
Taking a deep breath, Lelouch steadied himself. It was now or never.
"Lieutenant, I was wondering..." He turned around, looking him in the eye. "Will you take me to see princess Cornelia?"
His Geass activated.
AN: Okay, first off, I'm gonna want to apologise for the length of time it took between the last chapter and this one if you were waiting for the next update. I will admit that with this sort of thing, I am not the best time keeper.
Now onto the chapter itself. Yes, it is going a bit slow. I will admit it. But it's gonna get better, trust me.
First off, I feel compelled to say this: the protag is me. Yes, I put myself into the story. Why didn't I do it as a first-person? One reason: problems with my self-image. I cannot write about myself in a first person narrative without being a bit unflattering about myself.
The length of this chapter might need an explanation. This chapter went through at least... oh, 5 or 6 revisions before I was satisfied with this one. I wanted to do a whole thing with me meeting the student council, but whatever I wrote, it just didn't flow that well. So I decided to lower the number down to just Rivalz, Lelouch and Suzaku. Plus, it was originally gonna be a huge long story involving meeting Dorothea and Nonette before terminating at the start of the Lake Kawaguchi Incident. But I decided to cut it down to size.
And yes, I did introduce the Knights of Four and Nine, Dorothea Ernst and Nonette Enneagram into my story. I did say it was gonna be an AU afterall. Why those two? Well, I felt a bit sorry for them since they seem like two characters who could have a huge amount of backstory but what do they get? Nonette get's a little bit of a reveal in a game before both she and Dorothea get a bridge dropped on them.
Also: why is there no character tag for Darlton? The man deserves so much better.
So yeah, read, enjoy and review.