For a week Suzaku avoided the Empress. It only lasted while E2 was taking the time to stop having withdrawals. Suzaku stayed by the immortal's side through it all. It was enough of an excuse that Empress Nunnally didn't immediately press the issue.

As the second week was nearing an end she wasn't so patient. And he felt that it was time to stop avoiding altogether. At this point in time E2 wasn't so severe.

"Are you well enough to meet the Empress?" Zero asked.

("I take it you don't want to face her alone.") E2 guessed.

"I see you understand English. Why won't you speak it?" Zero pressed.

("I despise it. I won't utter a syllable unless I absolutely have to.") E2 scowled, and Zero supposed that was fair enough.

"May I ask how you learned the noble dialect?" He couldn't help but inquire.

("I was a diplomat. Before they decided it was easier to just fly in guns blazing. They assassinated me, my own people. The one who gave me my code passed it along to me in a panic to keep me alive.") E2 explained.

"When did this happen?" Zero was curious.

("Around early 1900s.") E2 wasn't being specific, but it wasn't like Zero wanted to know the exact details. The time frame was enough.

("Before I meet her, is it all right if I trim my hair? And do you have kimonos by chance?") E2 asked.

"I don't think we have any, but I can check. Would you rather have a robe?" He supposed that was reasonable enough of a request.

("Just something comfortable is fine.")

So while E2 showered, Suzaku searched through his own wardrobe. He found one kimono, a plain olive green. He laid it out on the bed.

When E2 emerged it was as if a whole new person took his place. The long hair was trimmed down to just below the shoulders. And the front was pulled back and braided. The olive green color really brought out his eye color.

If it weren't for his sharp Britannian features, he could be mistaken as Japanese. The immortal followed Zero's lead. Halfway to the gardens he couldn't help but ask something on his mind.

("Is there a reason you never take that off your face?") E2 referred to the helmet.

"I don't like taking it off." Zero kept it plain and simple. If anything he barely takes it off at all. Only time he does is to sleep.

("You should get used to doing so around me.") E2 suggested.

Zero didn't know how to respond. But he did take note that he supposed he should learn to be comfortable around E2. If it was anything how C2 and Lelouch were, then he would eventually have to leave his guard down around this immortal.

"Zero? Is this the special guest you've been promising me since your last mission?" She heard their footsteps. Empress Nunnally easily identified his footsteps, not quite the second.

"Your Highness, this is E2. He prefers to speak in Japanese, so if need be I can translate." Zero offered.

"For a lovely Empress such as you, I would make an exception." E2 had all his charm as he spoke.

"May I see you?" She wasn't falling for it. He knelt down and allowed her small hands feel his face. Her brows furrowed, confused. It was enough for her to open her eyes, blinking with all hope.

Only to frown a little at the major differences. The brown hair, and the red eyes. And if she judged him right, his height put him some inches shy of her brother. He did come up to Zero's chin.

"What was your name? Before the mark?" Nunnally had a suspicion.

"...Elijah."

Zero wasn't the only one surprised he so easily gave in. For the majority of the immortals he met, they guarded their born names with such secrecy. And yet this man wasn't too bothered.

"Elijah who?"

"That's my little secret, Your Highness."

Nunnally's frown deepened, but she didn't press the matter. He was an immortal after all. He had every right not to indulge her if he so wished. She glanced up at Zero.

"I see why you broke your promise."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty." He gulped, growing nervous.

"Relax, I won't execute you for breaking a promise."

Zero breathed a sigh of relief. E2 watched the exchange. He was silently learning the relationship between these two.

"Do you know what your Geass power is?" Nunnally asked.

"I...haven't had the chance to try." In all honesty, he was a little hesitant.

"Then try on me."

"What!? I - I can't do that!" Zero panicked.

"It's just to see what it is we have to work around. What if it's like my brother's? And then it spirals out of control and you accidentally create another Princess - "

"All right! Fine. Just, give me a second." He moved his hand to the helmet to remove it. E2 moved out of the way, curious of the whole spectacle.

Suzaku wasn't sure if the helmet would have allowed him to use his right eye. He knew Lelouch originally had the power in his left eye. He would have to check with the helmet later if it needed to be modified.

He could only stare into her eyes for the briefest of seconds before he got cold feet. Suzaku turned away, face hardening. The Empress sighed.

"Suzaku, I order you to test your Geass on me."

("Damn it all.") He let it slip.

("Perhaps I shouldn't have initiated a contract.") E2 commented. He sounded bored out of his mind.

"You're not helping." Suzaku glared. To which the immortal smiled.

("Should I come at you with a sword?")

"That won't be necessary." He scowled.

"That's a strange dialect." Nunnally commented. Although she sort of understood what was said, the words confused her.

"Sayoko taught you common speech. What commoners used everyday. The nobles and rich families had a higher educated way of speaking so as to make themselves different from the fishers, farmers and everyday people." Suzaku explained.

("You're letting yourself get distracted.") E2 teased.

"You're going to be just as annoying as C2, aren't you?" Suzaku turned to him. Those crimson eyes danced with light humor as if to taunt him.

("The older we are, the more annoying we become.")

He supposed that was fair. As an immortal that's been around a long time learns they have nothing to lose. And that's how an attitude is formed.

Suzaku turned to the Empress. He breathed in and blinked as he activated the Geass. He was surprised at how easy it was. And both he and Nunnally gasped. Before her stood Lelouch, smiling fondly as he always did.

Suzaku stared as Nunnally reached up. He knew this couldn't be real. Lelouch reached for her hands, and she started crying. His heart pounded in that moment. Did she really think it was that real? This vision before her?

"You reveal the heart's true desire." E2 was amazed enough to forget to speak in Japanese.

Suzaku looked away to glance at the immortal. And the vision disappeared. He blinked and turned to Nunnally, confused.

"It would seem you must remain eye contact. Or at the very least be looking at whoever you're using your Geass on. Try again to see if it will work more than once." E2 suggested.

He did so. And he blinked when nothing happened. So then it can only happen once on a person. Another limitation.

("Well, this will be interesting.") E2 commented.

"How so?" Nunnally wondered.

"A Geass power reveals the true nature of the heart. His heart serves others over himself. I've never come across this before."

"So then Suzaku is unique?"

He tensed. It had been approximately five years since he even heard her even say his name. It left a rippling effect on him. E2 of course noticed.

"Not the most unique. But definitely one of the top three." After a long pause E2 turned to the Empress. "Is it all right if I ask you questions in private about him?"

"To accomplish what exactly?" Suzaku glared.

"To understand you. Although you rarely left my side, you never showed your face. You never share anything personal about yourself. Since you're not going to open up, might as well be someone who knows you best." E2 remained casual as Suzaku panicked with each word spoken.

"All right! I'll talk. Just...so long I get to know you better in return. You're a stranger. It's only fair we learn about each other."

("For a moment, you almost sounded like we're together.") At E2's words, Nunnally giggled.

"You both know what I mean!" Suzaku glared, ignoring the fact that underneath the cloth mask he was blushing deeply.

This only made the Empress laugh harder. Suzaku felt his heart feel two emotions very strongly at once. One was the fact he missed her laughter. Two, it made him realize that a potential third has taken Lelouch's place.

He tried his best not to feel bitter about it.