"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.
The Power of The King, C.C. had called it. The power to compel anyone to do anything Lelouch wanted them to. To act against their own inbuilt nature, to commit any act that Lelouch commanded. To do it all without any hesitation and...
"No can do, lad." The officer said, a smile plain on his face.
'Wha..?'
"I mean, I can't just take you into the Viceroy's Palace and bring you to her. Imagine the questions!" The man continued, spreading his arms wide.
Lelouch was not sure what was going on. Had his Geass failed?
"Are-are you sure you can't?" He tried again, feeling his eye activate. He was certain he saw the rims of the man's eyes turn red for the faintest of seconds before turning back to their original colour.
"Why do you want to go anyway?" The officer asked him, crossing his arms again. "School assignment? Some petition you need signed or something?"
Lelouch stumbled back half a step, stammering and mumbling as his plans crashed down around him.
Leaning forward, the man look him square in the face before grinning widely.
"Ooh. I get it."
'I'm sorry Nunnally,' Lelouch thought to himself, 'I tried my best.'
"Well, I can't say I don't blame you," the officer shrugged as he pushed himself off of the desk, "You're a teenage boy. You're young, you've not long since hit puberty, and, I will admit, Cornelia is a very attractive woman."
Lelouch felt his face drop. If he thought the previous part of his plan had gone wrong, this part had gone in a completely different direction.
"Don't worry. I won't say anything." Ciaran said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But for future reference, it would take more than simply asking me to get you to see the princess. Now I must be off. See ya." And with that, the man left Lelouch standing in the middle of the classroom alone, confused and angry.
"What the hell just happened?!" He cried, grabbing his hair.
Ciaran jogged down the hallway towards the entrance of Ashford Academy, dodging and weaving his way around students who didn't move out of his way. Exiting the academy, he made his way down the stairs, where he proceeded to jog the rest of way down the avenue towards the gates. Making his way to the end, he saw Darlton and Cecile engaged in discussion.
Looking up, he saw the general grin before spreading his arms in an exaggerated gesture.
"And what kept you?" Darlton asked, fake anger in his voice.
"One of the students side-lined me to ask about joining the army," Ciaran lied, as he drew up to the general. "I just told him he needed to go see a recruitment officer if he was that interested in joining."
Darlton nodded, while Cecile just raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. Come on, let's go."
Walking over, Ciaran took Cecile's hands in a two-handed grip. "Cecile, it's been a delight to meet you and Suzaku. I hope to see you again soon."
Cecile was taken aback for a moment before a warm smile came to her face, returning the handshake. "It's been a pleasure to meet you too, Ciaran."
With that, the two parted hands, Ciaran and Darlton climbing into the limousine which began it's journey back to the Viceroy's Palace.
Leaving the motorcade behind and entering the Palace, Darlton sensed something was wrong, even as he and Ciaran entered the lift. He couldn't place it though, but whatever it was, it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge.
"Something wrong, sir?" The young man asked, seeing the general's back stiffen.
"I'm not sure, lad," The general asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion. "but something is gonna happen. Something big."
Ciaran looked worried for a moment, before he unclipped the cover of his holster, withdrawing his pistol. Darlton couldn't help but grin as he watched the young man draw back the slide, checking the chamber before letting it snap back and replaced it in the holster.
"Safety first, right?" Ciaran said, a small smile playing on his face.
The general shook his head, but copied the same action as the elevator reached it's destination in the lobby of the Palace. The doors opened with a 'ding', revealing the lavish interior of the lobby. To the untrained eye, it seemed calm enough. Maids and servants went about their chores, while security guards stood at attention at their assigned positions. But Darlton felt the change: a small static charge that caught his attention and made his brow furrow in confusion. Looking around, his eyes settled on the rigid form of Guilford, standing hear a column, his arms crossed over his chest and his head bowed.
"Lord Guilford." Ciaran called out, getting the knight's attention, causing him to look up.
"Ah, Ciaran, Darlton. Good to see you." The bespectacled man said, snapping up from his reverie as he quickly walked over to the pair. "We have a problem."
"I thought as much," Darlton said, looking around the lobby again. "What's wrong, Gil?"
"I think it's best if you follow me." Guilford said, beckoning them to follow him with a finger.
The trio walked in silence through the palace before they reached their destination outside the Viceroy's office. Ciaran and Darlton shared a concerned look as Guilford knocked on the door.
Soon the door opened, revealing the pink form of Euphemia, whose face lit up in delight.
"Oh, you're all here. Thank you for coming so soon. Come in." At that, trio entered the office. At the end, in her usual place, sat the ever-present form of Cornelia. This time however, instead of sitting with a straight back and a stoic mask, her form was sullen. Her elbows rested on the desk-top, her hands supporting her forehead. Her hair was slightly ruffled, and her eyes seemed to be focused solely on the letter in front of her.
"Your highness!" Darlton said, rushing to the desk. "What's wrong?"
Cornelia didn't respond. She merely stared at the piece of paper in front of her.
"She's been like this ever since that letter arrived," Euphemia said, looking sullenly at her sister. "I don't why though."
The trio shared a confused look before, stepping forward, Ciaran tentatively slid the paper from beneath Cornelia's gaze. The princess didn't respond however, even as the paper moved from beneath her. Unsure of what to do, Ciaran handed the letter to Euphemia, who took it quickly as Darlton and Guilford gathered around her. Their eyes scanned the page, but as they did, the colour slowly drained from their faces, fear evident in their eyes.
"Uh... something you want to tell me?" Ciaran asked, worry and confusion plain in his voice. In reply, Euphemia handed him the letter, her face still with a look of fear on it. Guilford was shaking his head, while Darlton simply had his hand over his eyes with his head tilted to the ceiling.
Taking the letter, Ciaran began reading.
My dearest Cornelia,
I hope this letter finds you well. I know I don't write to you enough, if at all. Letters just aren't my thing, as I'm sure you know.
Anyway, I'm writing to let you know that I have taken the liberty of giving myself a holiday, and where better to spend it than with my lovely old roommate from the academy? I'll be coming to Area 11 along with Dorothea, who insisted on coming along with me. It'll be just like the old times.
Not sure when this letter will arrive, but we plan to arrive in Area 11 on the 26th. Also, just to let you know that there's no need for a big welcoming party or anything like that. It's not our style now, is it?
Hope to see you soon,
All the love,
Nonette. (kiss)
The young man couldn't help but grimace at the last part as it was signed with an actual kiss. In bright red lipstick. But he still couldn't see the problem.
"Okay, apart from how forward she seems to be, I still don't see how this Nonette person can cause you all to... well, act like she's the devil incarnate."
The sound of a squeaking chair and a ragged intake of breath drew everyone's attention as Cornelia sat back in her chair, running her hand through her thick purple locks, smoothing out the imperfections.
"Consider yourself lucky, Ciaran," the princess said, making it sound like he had told some bad joke. "What day did she say she'd arrive on?"
"The... 26th." Ciaran replied, rereading the letter, before his head snapped back up. Using his finger, he counted off the days on an invisible calender only he could see before him, muttering to himself. "... came on the 9th ... two weeks, plus... that's today!" He said, the realization hitting him full force.
The princess however, put a hand up in a gesture that said 'I told you so', before standing up.
"Right everyone," her voice filled with the same force it had on the G-1, "Nonette's coming, so I want you to all be at your full alert. Any slip ups, and she will be on you faster than you can blink. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your highness!" Darlton and Guilford snapped off in a perfect military cadence.
"Yes, sister." Euphemia said meekly, her colour returning but fear still plain on her face.
"Umm... and myself?" Ciaran asked hesitantly.
Drumming her fingers on the desk, Cornelia was deep in thought for a while before she spoke. "All I can say is what I just said: be on full alert and watch your back."
"As you say, my lady," Ciaran replied, folding the letter and placing it back on the desk. "Just out of curiosity, should I keep my side-arm on me at all times during her visit?"
The princess paused for a second, looking at Darlton and Guilford before looking at the young man again. "It wouldn't hurt."
Darlton couldn't help share a chuckle with Guilford as Ciaran replied, "I don't like how you had to think about that."
The waning evening sun bathed the landing pad in a red light, even as the lights of the settlement cast the surrounding area in a bright glow. On the platform, near a red carpet that stretched from the door into the palace to the landing pad itself, Cornelia and Euphemia stood ready to meet their guests. Behind them, standing at parade rest, Guilford, Darlton and Ciaran stood in their uniforms.
Glancing back, Cornelia couldn't help but smile at the junior officer. He was still wearing the uniform of the royal guard, but over it he was wearing the same ballistic armour he wore in Saitama. In his hands he held a submachine gun.
"Aren't you going a bit over the top, Ciaran?" She asked jokingly.
"Until Darlton stopped me, I wanted to come with a rifle." The young man said flatly.
"I blame myself," Cornelia admitted, "I think I made the situation sound worse then it will be." She shot a smile at the young man, who looked down sheepishly before slinging the firearm behind his back.
"Your highness," Guilford interrupted, "I have just received word that Lady Nonette's transport will arrive within the next few minutes."
Cornelia nodded and turned back to face the platform. Looking to her side, she could see Euphemia give a slight tremble, even in the hot air of the summer evening. Reaching over, she put an arm around her sister and pulled her close.
"It'll be okay, my dear Euphie." She said sweetly, even as the air filled with the faint sound of roaring turbines. Looking up, she saw the sleek, hawk-like shape of the transport of the Knights of the Round coming closer, it's flanks painted in immaculate white with flecks of gold. Descending to the platform, the backwash for the turbines whipped the air, causing all present to shield their faces for a time before the turbines fell from a roar to a whine before falling silent.
Cornelia straightened her back as the ramp to the transport opened, a set of stairs emerging from the metal as it connected with the ground. Looking up, the door way was filled as two figures made their way down the ramp. The first was the black-haired and dark-skinned form of the Knight of Four, Dorothea Ernst, while the second was the one she dreaded.
"Yoo-hoo! Cornelia!" The champagne haired Nonette Enneagram yelled, waving an arm to catch the princess' attention, even as she stood no less than ten feet away from her. The woman advanced forward, her lithe body clad in the clean white uniform of the Knights of the Round, her characteristic purple cloak trailing behind her.
The princess hardly had time to return the greeting before she found herself in a hug that crushed the air from her lungs, the scent of perfume filling her nose as she was pressed tight by Nonette who seemed to be grinning inanely.
"It's so good to see you again, Nellie." The knight said jovially, relinquishing the hug and standing before the princess.
Cornelia could only smile faintly at the woman, even as Dorothea made her way to stand next to her companion. The dark-skinned woman was quiet for a moment before she politely coughed in to her hand, getting Nonette's attention.
"Oh, you always have to play by the rules, don't you, Dorothea?" Nonette said, rolling her eyes before both woman knelt down before the princess, their heads bowed.
"Lady Dorothea Ernst, Knight of Four."
"And Lady Nonette Enneagram, Knight of Nine."
"At your service, your highness." The pair intoned the last part together.
"Rise, Knights of the Round." Cornelia said, flicking a hand up, as the pair stood. Stepping forward, the princess took Dorothea's hand in a handshake. "I can only apologise for having to be the travel companion of Nonette. I know how much of a handful she can be."
The knight shook her head with a rueful smile. "It's my own fault, your highness. I suggested that Nonette take a holiday and she ended up dragging me a long with her."
The princess nodded in understanding before a surprised and muffled squeal drew the two women's attention. Turning, they saw the sight of Nonette holding Euphemia in a tight hug, the older woman lifting her off the ground and rubbing her face against her cheek.
"Ah, my sweet little Euphie!" Nonette gushed. "It's been far too long. The last time I saw you, you were only up to my knee!"
"Nonette, please stop manhandling my younger sister." Cornelia said, her eyes closed even as she said it.
Nonette responded with a small 'huff' as she let the young girl go to the floor, Euphemia landing on her feet, before moving on to Darlton and Guilford, embracing each man in turn as old friends. Then she turned to the youngest man in the group...
"Oh no." Cornelia said to herself quietly. Dorothea raised an eyebrow, before her eyes widened when she saw what the princess was referring to.
"Well, now," Nonette purred, looking the junior officer up and down. "I've certainly not seen you before. And who might you be?"
For his part, Ciaran kept a straight face, standing at attention. "Lieutenant Ciaran Forsyth, ma'am." He bowed his head in respect, which made Cornelia wince.
"Bad move, Ciaran." She muttered under he breath.
Before either of them could react, Nonette wrapped her arms around the young man's shoulders and pulled him into her chest, Ciaran letting out a muffled sound of confusion. All present could only gasp in surprise, their eyes widening. Euphemia put her hands over her mouth while Dorothea simple put her palm against her forehead.
"Well, you're a cute one, and that's no lie." Nonette said to the man pressed against her bust. Ciaran didn't struggle or make any indication that he heard her, as his body seemed to go limp in the embrace, his arms dangling at his side. Although from what could be seen of the top of his head, a bright red blush had overtaken his face.
"Nonette! What are you doing?" Dorothea cried, stepping forward.
The champagne-haired woman gave her a confused look as she shrugged her shoulders. "Just saying hello."
"Let him go. Now." The Knight of Four said sternly.
"Fine." The Knight of Nine replied, releasing her grip on the lieutenant, who promptly collapsed backwards to land on his behind. His face was bright red and his eyes were wide.
"Ciaran!" Euphemia called, rushing forward, as Darlton knelt down to help the man stand up.
"Are you okay, lieutenant?" Cornelia asked.
"Wha-what just happened?" Ciaran asked in turn, sounding very confused.
For her part, Nonette just grinned inanely, even as Cornelia put her palm against her forehead. It was gonna be a long holiday with Nonette around.
In a smoking room in the interior of the Viceroy's Palace, Dorothea reclined in a plush chair, rubbing her temples. Across from her, Darlton and Guilford sat at a small table, a decanter of whiskey shared between them.
"Lady Nonette's as carefree as ever, I see." Guilford said, taking a sip from his shot glass.
The Knight of Four could only shrug in reply.
After they had met with the princess and her entourage, Nonette had practically dragged Cornelia and Euphemia into a private room to talk, leaving the three officers and the Knight of Four on the landing platform. The young lieutenant had recovered quickly from the... incident, albeit with his face still slightly tinged red and had promptly excused himself. That left the trio to make their way to the smoking room.
To call it a smoke room would be wrong though, since none of the occupants smoked. The room was filled with plush and ornate chairs and sofas made from oak and covered in rich red fabric, contrasting well with the cream carpet and walls. A drinks bar was set against the wall, the shelves behind it filled with bottles of various sizes and vintages. There was even a coffee machine, the sleek black machine standing out on the wood work.
The trio sat in silence for a while, Darlton and Guilford continuing their drinking while Dorothea did her best to put off an encroaching migraine before a timid knock on the door drew their attention.
"Come in." Darlton called out as he refilled his empty glass.
The door opened, and Dorothea was surprised to see the head of the young lieutenant poking through the gap, the redness gone from his face. The young man's eyes scanned the room quickly.
"Is she here?" The lieutenant asked.
"If she was, you'd definitely know about it." Darlton replied, sly smile on his face.
Opening the door wider, the junior officer stepped through the threshold and closed the door behind him. The man had shed his body armour, along with his hat, leaving his royal guardsman uniform.
"How are you feeling, Ciaran?" The large general asked.
"I'm good, sir. I'm good." The young man said, nodding his head before looking down at the floor.
"Don't worry about it, lieutenant," Dorothea cut in, a small smile on her face, "She's always been like that."
The young man nodded in understanding.
"Well, then," Dorothea continued, pushing herself off of her chair to walk over to the man. "I do not believe that we have been introduced. Lady Dorothea Ernst, Knight of Four." She held out her hand.
The young man looked it for a second before taking it and, to the surprise of the others in the room, turned if over and brought it up as he bowed, his lips just touching the knuckles before lowering it. "Lieutenant Ciaran Forsyth, at your service, my lady."
Recovering her hand, the Knight gave Ciaran a soft smile at the gesture.
"Well then," Ciaran said, rubbing his hands together, "What's the situation on drinks? Do we make them ourselves?"
"That's what we've been doing." Darlton replied, holding up his glass.
Ciaran nodded before turning to face Dorothea. "Can I get you anything, my lady?"
Dorothea thought for a second as the young man made his way to the bar. "I'll have a coffee, if you don't mind. Cappuccino, if you can do it."
"That I can do." Ciaran said with a cocky grin as he began taking out a cup and saucer for the woman's drink. Meanwhile, Darlton pulled out a deck of cards which he began shuffling.
"Since we've got all four of us here, how about a game of cards? Do you know any, Ciaran?"
The young man paused in thought as he steamed a small jug of milk.
"The only one I know well enough is rummy, general." The young man said as he poured the coffee into Dorothea's cup.
"Rummy it is then." The general said as he gave the cards one last shuffle. Dorothea came over with her chair while Guilford moved aside his own to make room for another chair. Soon, Ciaran joined them, Dorothea's cappuccino in one hand and a glass of lemonade in another.
Sitting down, he placed the coffee next to the woman who nodded her thanks as Darlton dealt out the cards, the group enjoying the comfort in the other's companionship as they played their game.
In an unknown location in Japan, lieutenant-colonel Josui Kusakabe sat on a small chair. He was wearing the drab green uniform that he had worn for the past seven years, the uniform of the Japanese Liberation Front, the former uniform of the Japanese Armed Forces. Resting on the floor beside him lay his ever present katana. His eyes were closed, as he was deep in thought
"Lieutenant-colonel?" An aide asked, approaching him. Like Kusakabe, he too wore a drab green military uniform.
"Yes, corporal?" The man replied, not looking up.
"Sir, I have reports from the leaders of the squads you asked for."
"And?" Kusakabe opened his eyes to look at the young officer.
"They have said they're ready to move on your orders, sir."
Kusakabe smiled. Everything was in order.
"Perfect. Send this to all squad leaders: be ready to move in a day's time. Our target will be the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Centre hotel."
AN: BUM-BUM-BUUUM! Cliff hanger from the prrvious chapter is resolved, but now a new one has been done instead. Oh, I'm cruel. c:
Not much to say on this one. I did kind of want to extend the scene with Lelouch a bit by including him question C.C. about why his Geass didn't work, but no matter what I wrote down, it just didn't flow right. So I left it where I left it. Also, we get to meet Dorothea and Nonette proper now. Admittedly, quirky characters are quite hard for me to write, so I think I may have been a bit to on the nose with Nonette's behaviour tad, but... eh. You learn from your mistakes.
Well, I managed to stick to my schedule for getting this chapter out before then of the week, so I'm pleased with that. Hehe.
Again: read, enjoy and review if you want to. Until next time... toodles.