Author: HyperiorV
" " – Talking
' ' – Thinking
[ ] – SFX, Soundtrack, Camera Positioning, Extra Descriptive Details
( ) – Grammatical Clarification Notes, Extra Details, Author's Asides
Act 2.50 Dreams of Knightmares
A trumpet sounds; "Duh nuh nuh… nuh Nah!" "Lah la lah la la la!" a choir echoes.
A stagelight shines down. Lelouch's glass chessboard shows the right blackened (clear but with a white light glowing from within) bishop and the white glass (flashes green once) king stand next to each other. The clear black green queen is 2 tiles away in the foreground while the castle is to the right about 4-5 tiles.
[OST: Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: "A Calm Afternoon ~ VS Arrange Ver." Looped.]
Out in the afternoon orange fields, the rain had slowed down to a pleasant drizzle. Jeremiah collected oranges along the neat lines of trees. In the railway between the lines, Anya poured her basket into the wooden container of a large metallic cart.
In the first few months after their arrival, Anya and Jeremiah had to use a single straw cart to transport the crops. At Anya's insistence, they had soon bought an orange Gloucester to help them transport their harvest. But the travel between the fields were still long and tiresome. That all changed after Lelouch and CC had arrived. Together, they had added railways that stretched across the property. Aside from providing quick transportation across the fields, Anya had also designed a motorized cart using materials from the Menorah. Unfortunately, the high-quality knightmare parts were rather unbecoming of such simple tasks. Just yesterday, Jeremiah had accidentally launched the mechanized cart into several trees. They had spent the rest of the day cleaning up the destruction and fixing up the cart.
Jeremiah deposited his oranges into the mechanized cart and looked inside. "All right. Looks like we're done with this batch."
Anya ran over to the mechanized cart and unloaded her basket. She gave him a glare before she boarded the shotgun seat of the cart. "I hope you're paying attention this time, Jeremiah. I don't want to have to spend my evening fixing the cart again," warned Anya.
"Of course. I shall not fail again," responded Jeremiah, entering the driver's seat. "Lelouch reprogramed the engine so there won't be any accidents anymore."
Anya lightly punched Jeremiah on the shoulder. "Just because he altered the program again doesn't mean you won't be able to mess it up! He didn't remove the maximum speed settings. If you don't pay attention to what you're doing, the cart is going to go flying off again! With you on it! And you still need to be careful when turning around corners." Anya pressed a few controls on the screen and Jeremiah pushed the motor stick forward. The motorized cart shot forward smoothly, passing by the groves and through the "orange valley". She watched the surroundings pass them in silent boredom. Around the hills were untamed orange trees. As the motorized cart rushed past, Anya nabbed an orange from a lingering branch and took a bite. She chewed for a moment before spitting it out. It tasted not nearly as good as the ones that they were cultivating. She frowned before chucking the orange into a river.
Anya leaned back into her seat and sighed. She yawned and stretched out. [Insert Gainax Bounce here] But then an idea crossed her mind and Anya's eyes lit up. "Jerry! Let's buy one of those new Chinese farming knightmares. We have more than enough money, right? Right?"
Jeremiah frowned in disapproval. Anya was always buying new things. TV's. Computers. Phones. And even Knightmare Frames. As expected of the former Knight of Six. But now that she was asking Jeremiah for more credits, it seemed that her funds had finally reached their limit. "Anya. That's LL and CC's money, not ours. They're already paying your tuition at Ashford Academic University. If you want more money, go ask them.
Anya paused. She burrowed her eyebrows and looked down at herself before turning back towards Jeremiah. "…Of course. I-I just thought I'd run it by you first, Jeremiah."
"I don't see why you need another one." Jeremiah continued. "If you're talking about defense, Lelouch already set up the drones and various other devices. And even if they're more fuel efficient, we have plenty of Sakuradite to last us more than our entire lifetimes combined."
Anya crossed her arms and put on a pouting face. "But that's LL and CC's Sakuradite, not ours!" Anya retorted indignantly, mirroring Jeremiah's previous statement. Jeremiah sighed and rotated his sore shoulder. Anya was acting like a spoiled child again. Like Lady Marianne, there was no stopping Anya when she wanted something. "Why not build your own? You have the technical know-how. Isn't that why you're aiming for a master's degree in Knightmare Engineering at Ashford?" he asked skeptically.
Anya looked at Jeremiah with an eyebrow raised. "Because I want to crank it open and see how it works. 'Technical know-how' has be constantly relearned when new technology comes out, Jerry! My school friend, Neya, told me that the Chinese use entirely different energy systems too. And all I've been learning in school are the old Japanese and Britannian designed knightmares. Nothing new!"
"Fair point," admitted Jeremiah. Nunnally's new peace combined with the low amount of Sakuradite was ensuring that the funding and development for knightmares was at an all-time low. And the members of the UFN had to limit the size of their armies under Charter Paragraph 17. Though recently they had been bending that rule…
Anya continued on. "And weren't you the one complaining about me buying military knightmare parts? I figure by buying a Chinese farming knightmare, we'd lower suspicion of ourselves. And on top of that, we can reuse the knightmare for its actual purpose. You know. To farm!"
The motorized cart passed the bend. The river below them curved off wards into the forest while the road aside them shot straight forward towards the ocean cliffs of their home. "You make a very strong case. I would bring this up to Lelouch, the next time you get the chance." Jeremiah pulled back the motor stick and pushed the brake. The motorized cart slowed to a stop in front of the barn. Awaiting them at the end of the rail for pickup was Jeremiah's Orange Gloucester. Jeremiah lowered himself off the cart while Anya energetically jumped off her seat. She followed him as Jeremiah began walking towards his Gloucester. "Thanks Jerry! I'll ask LuLu later. But speaking of knightmares, I'm almost finished on the Mordred Frontier. I can't wait to show you it later!"
Jeremiah reached into his pocket and grabbed the keys to his knightmare. With a click of the button on it, the knightmare activated and the cockpit opened. Anya began to run forward into the knightmare but was stopped by Jeremiah. He smiled gently towards Anya. "I see. Then why don't you take the rest of the day off?"
"Really?!" she exclaimed.
"Of course. You don't have many days left of school break before you have to return to school. I'll do your share today as an apology for taking up your evening yesterday. And for this morning's mishap. But in exchange, can you tune up my mechanical body later? I'm worried that the incoming storm is going to cause some of my parts to rust."
Anya grinned. "As expected of my Jerry. You always know how to get back on my good side. Well, I noticed that your elbow is getting sore. After I'm done with the Mordred, I won't just fix your parts, I'll add some improvements."
The orange knightmare's cockpit opened and Jeremiah jumped inside. "I look forward to it."
"It's a promise!" Anya shouted as she turned and ran inside the house.
Evening
Along the cliff below their home, a cleverly hidden hangar door opened, revealing the old military base's second aerodrome. Inside, to the left, was Anya's personal shuttle to Ashford. And to the right was Anya's collection of knightmare frames lined up along the wall. Orange Sutherlands and Vincent models, a spare Zetland Heart, a Green Sheffield Eye, a Bradford Brave, Portman II's, even the original Lancelot Albion Frontier. But in the center, surrounded by glistening tools and machines was Anya's pride and joy. With the assistance of the cool ocean breeze, Anya tore off the black cover showing the massive and majestic Mordred Frontier. It towered over the other knightmares as its pinkish red, white, and gold armor glowed in the early evening sun coming from the open hangar doors. Anya looked confidently upon her masterpiece.
After the Zero Requiem, she had brought the remains of the damaged Mordred to the farm as a form of memorabilia. Even though she hated what it represented, she couldn't bring herself to part from such a regular part of her life. A few months later, Lelouch and CC arrived alive on the Menorah. Aside from its treasures, the carrier contained plenty of high-quality supplies and parts. With little else to do, Anya almost instinctively began to repair her knightmare once more. But after comparing it to the Lancelot Albion Frontier, a streak of competitiveness drove her to make the Mordred even better. It was a tough road, learning about the particulars of knightmares. To that end, she had enlisted as a knightmare engineer at Ashford Academic University. And she had gotten help from Lelouch, Neya, and had even managed to hire Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy.
But now, two years later, she could now proudly gaze upon her steed. Though it wasn't as nearly as optimized as the famed Gurren or Lancelot, Anya was confident that it exceeded their specifications from the Battle of Mt. Fuji in both technology and abilities. With the addition of another float system and energy wings ripped directly from the Lancelot Frontier Albion, the Mordred Frontier could travel miles within minutes. The green VARIS Cannons taken from the Menorah would wipe out droves of enemies, but also serve as decent weapons in close combat. And that was to say nothing of the "miniature" Sakuradite missile launchers and the new energy feathers.
But the crowning achievement were the improvements to the Mordred's already impressive defensive abilities. Anya had installed the large and powerful Blaze Luminous from the airship's spare parts. It could enlargen, allowing her to shield her allies from an entire battalion or even a blast from an Airship's cannon. And for close range, there were several energy shields, wings, and feathers from the Lancelot Albion Frontier. The next time she would be in battle, she would not be defeated!
All that was left was to sort out some of the kinks, add a personal touch to the knightmare's head, and then try it out for real. Anya's keen ears heard CC's distant footsteps coming from the corridor of the bunker. She smiled as part of her mind suggested an idea to her. Speaking of testing the Mordred…
Within the Menorah airship, Lelouch sat leaning in his chair before his personal computer and a large screen monitor in the small top hangar. It was what CC had named the "devil's den" and what Anya had called the "man cave". And perhaps it was true. For Lelouch spent more time underground in this room than the one in the house he slept in.
On one of the walls, a large window revealed a small hangar. Inside was the massive Gawain Ghost and the Galahad Frontier. The Gawain Ghost was designed specifically for the final battle with the Damocles. It was going to have an integrated computer system that would have automatically calculated the composition of the FLEJA neutralizer. However, like the Lancelot Frontier, Schneizel's immediate response following Lelouch's capture of the UFN prevented the Galahad Ghost from being finished. It was only after the Zero Requiem that he had completed the designs and software as one of his many hobbies. Of course, he did have help from Lloyd with the designs and Anya assisted in building the actual knightmare frame.
Lloyd… it wasn't soon after Anya had hired him that his assistant Cecile had guessed that he was alive, and confirmed it by playing a trick on Anya. Of course, Anya's mental state might be to blame for that too… Still, Lloyd and Cecile were easy to keep quiet. All they wanted was more funding and resources wired to them for their silence. Lelouch even chatted with them from time to time, to help them with a few of their issues, and sometimes even to discuss new technologies.
Around the room were Lelouch's personal items. A small "library" that lined the walls. Filled with a collection of valuable information and stories of the past. A dartboard; each of the four darts were lodged in their mark. Exactly in the center. Lelouch had gotten significantly better, under the tutelage of CC. And a wide screen computer, hotwired to Lelouch vi Britannia's custom, unlisted satellite network. Created with the highest technology available, the satellite network was both undetectable and unhackable. With it, Lelouch could send private messages across the globe to the handful who knew he had lived. And spy around the globe at the world that he had destroyed and recreated.
In his possession, Lelouch had three chessboards.
The first was an exquisite marble set that he had recieved from Nunnally on his birthday. The one thing he kept when he was exiled from Britannia. But now it was set aside safely in a glass case.
The second was a cheap plastic set scavenged from a Japanese family in the Shinjuku Ghetto. The one he had used when he made his first orders as Zero. It was left dilapidated and unused in the corner.
And the third was a glowing glass set wirelessly linked up to the systems around the Orange Farm. The one he had created himself. One that he was still working on.
With it, he could control everything in his domain. The defense systems, the speakers, the doors, and most importantly right now, the cameras. Upon his computer, he took the white glass king and opened a secret compartment at the base, connecting it to the computer's USB drive. Lelouch looked through the camera footage through some of the past battles between Anya and CC. He looked through it carefully so see if he could find any more unseen evidence of the source of their fighting;
In the dining room, Anya wiped up LL's mouth, motheringly, drawing jealousy from CC, who "accidentally" spilled hot coffee onto the table. And Anya's breakfast.
Moving forward, Anya had attempted some revenge on CC, chucking out massive amounts of pizza into the trash and hiding CC's beloved Cheese-kun away from her.
And that time. Anya was cooking for LL. But then CC spiked a drink with a strong laxative, before leaving it for Anya. After drinking it, Anya immediately left for the bathroom, clutching her stomach. Taking the opportunity, CC jacked up the heat, slowly causing a cooking fire for Anya when she returned.
And much, much more petty fighting. Nothing… too dangerous. If that person really was at fault, then why would... why wouldn't she do anything more? Lelouch sighed. It seems he would have to ask her. LL activated the chessboard, pressing the button on the White King three times. Then he drew the white bishop over the position of the left white knight.
"And what are they doing now?" Lelouch muttered. A hologram appeared before LL, showing him the hanger. On screen, Anya jumped gleefully into the Mordred Frontier's cockpit. CC entered the room with Anya's late lunch as her eyes scanned the room. Suddenly, the Mordred Frontier activated and the knightmare sped towards CC. It stopped and knelt right in front of her face as the shoulder-mounted Hadron blasters pointed at her and the missile compartments opened up.
"I doubt Anya would actually attack CC, but for their squabbling to go this far…" Just in case, Lelouch quickly set up a red black bishop over the white knight's place. "With the press of the button, I can activate the Gefjun Disturbers or missile launchers in the hangar. If Anya follows through, I'm going to have to deactivate – or destroy – her precious knightmare. Childish bickering is one thing but attempting to attack CC is another!" he thought.
However, before Lelouch could set up the red black queen up as well, CC threw the silver plate into the sky while the Mordred Frontier suddenly reeled back in surprise and confusion. As it did, CC jumped several meters towards the Mordred Frontier's head and kicked it in the factsphere.
The Mordred Frontier then staggered backwards, before tripping on its unlocked landspinners. Anya shrieked, falling backwards while CC flipped downwards back onto the ground, using the momentum of her kick. She confidently landed on two feet. CC then expertly caught Anya's lunch plate which she promptly dumped onto the floor. Then leaving in laughter.
Lelouch raised his eyebrows. 'This is the first time I've seen the true extent of CC's physical abilities in combat. She was involved in conflicts way before knightmares – or even guns – were used. She did have several hundred years to build up her skills. Now that she's decided to "live", I suppose she'll be using those sealed abilities once more. However, I didn't expect her to be that powerful. The last time I saw someone that good was Suzaku, who could …somehow… manage to outrun bullets. I shook my head. That's not what I should be focusing on. It seems that CC couldn't get forgiveness so easily. I shouldn't have expected their relationship would be repaired by itself.'
On screen, Anya screamed in rage and humiliation, before her knightmare brought itself back up and returned to its design frame. Lelouch sighed. "I suppose I'll console the loser. I need to talk to her anyways." He opened up his personal chessboard controller and activated it using the white queen. Then pressed the button on the green-white bishop, creating a screen in the hangar near Anya.
"I'm going to remove the landspinners and add the missile launchers back on." Anya muttered to herself with red eyes.
"Anya, are you busy? !… Are are you alright?!" asked Lelouch in concern, pretending he hadn't seen the event.
"L..LuLu?" Anya looked around embarrassed, before seeing the hologram. "…Ah no, I'm fine. I just accidentally left the landspinners unlocked and the Mordred fell over last night. And I can always make time for you!" she said sweetly.
[The screen is framed so you can see Anya's butt in tasteless fanservice and the hologram of Lelouch that she faces.]
"That's excellent. I'd wanted to spend some time talking to you. How's school?"
Anya's face lit up. "Pretty good. Our teacher is amazing, when she wants to be; she used to be the knightmare engineer for the old Mordred. However, we're still only learning about the old Britannian and Japanese Knightmare Frames. And not even the super prototypes that I used to get as a Knight of the Round. Though in the last semester, we finally learned about the 7th Gen Glinda knightmares. My friend is also fishing for information on the new 8th generation Primroses. Still, I'd like to get my hands on a Chinese knightmare…"
"Well then get it," Lelouch stated simply. "Use some of the money from the airship storage, as long as you make sure it's not tracked."
"Really?" asked Anya, surprised at the ease that Lelouch had accepted.
"Of course. It's not like we've got any shortage of it. Or like we have any other use for it. Money is meant to be spent. And I'm sure you've thought it through. Just be sure to document the price in my housekeeping book. But in exchange, tell me about the others. The old student council members; how are they?"
"Milly's a reporter in Japan. But I'm sure you've seen her show already!" Anya closed her eyes and put her hand behind her head for a moment. She then put her hand to her chin. "…Nina is a professor at the California Institute of Technology. She just finished on her work on the STARK reactor and improving Blaze Luminous Energy Shielding with Lloyd and Cecile. But I heard it got stolen. So now she's working on quantum technology and some new type of reactor."
Lelouch raised his eyebrows but nodded in agreement. "I'm surprised she hadn't started on that earlier. What about Kallen?"
"…Kallen's still an ace pilot of the Zero Squad, but I overheard that she recently quit her side-job as an idol, though I don't know why. Now she's using her time off to focus on school and to mentor some of the new Black Knights. Some of them are my classmates, like Benio. She's crazy for Kallen. Oh and Gino's also a student. He's just fallen head over heels for Kallen too." Anya shook her head in disapproval.
"What about Rivalez?" inquired Lelouch. "Is he still chasing after Milly? Is the Student Council busy with paperwork as usual?"
Anya grinned. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot about him. He brags about the bike you gave him two years ago, every day. It's almost a tradition. Though he's been eying some new civilian models recently. I'm not sure about his relationship with Milly though. He doesn't really bring it up. As for the work… my friend, Sophia; she does it all. She's a Genius. Actually, she reminds me a bit of you and Nunnally."
"Sophia?" questioned Lelouch.
"Yeah, she's a fellow knightmare engineer. Here's a picture of her." Anya activated her phone, unlocked the file named "Ashford 2017". and showed Lelouch the screen. In the new Knightmare Sports Arena at Ashford Academic University, several young girls were watching the match. In the center, the picture focused on a particular girl. She had long blond-haired girl around 18 and She wore a white laboratory coat over a grey version of the Ashford Uniform. Her comically large, round, and tinted/shining glasses hid her eyes while she also wore an oversized yellow baseball knightmare hat with the Ashford knightmare sports team logo. A small, fragile smile was upon her face that struck Lelouch as similar to Nina. But that name. Lelouch frowned.
"What's wrong?" inquired Anya.
He raised an eyebrow. "I once gambled against a player online by that very name. She was a challenging opponent. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the game." He shook his head. "Probably just a coincidence."
"It's funny you say that. Sophia has been known for repeatedly beating the chess club in Blitz chess. They practically beg her to join. But she decided to join the Student Council instead. 'Less responsibilities,' she said."
"I guess so." Lelouch smiled, remembering his own time in the Student Council. "I would like to meet your friend one day. Maybe play a match in person. Hidden under my illusions of course."
"…She'd like that." Anya beamed, before her eyes shifted. "By the way, Lelouch. I checked out the map of your hidden storage rooms across the world. I went to the one in Tokyo and the one under the school to get some Sakuradite for a school project, but I couldn't open it."
"There's an integrated code in Jeremiah's geass eye and CC's ring." Lelouch began to explain, twirling the White Bishop in his hand and placing it aside the Black Bishop. "There's no other way to…." "Give me one!" interrupted Anya excitedly.
"What, a Geass eye?" Lelouch thought as Anya's eyebrows creased and her face turned red, realizing what she had just blurted out. "No; a way to get inside" countered his mind. He shook his head. "Unfortunately, most of the facilities were pernamently locked down after the Zero Requiem. I've already given my spare key to Lloyd and Cecile as a gift for their silence. I can't add any more keys unless I'm on site. Any outside attempt only increases the security measures. Or might even initiate the self-destruct."
"?…That's not what I meant..." Anya murmured, upset. She suddenly stiffened as her eyes blinked. "An accessory! Rings are 'in' at the moment!" she suggested, changing her mood completely.
'Rings huh?' Lelouch's mind envisioned Anya in a motorcycle trench coat with two round ring ear piercings. 'So that's what's popular now,' he thought. Lelouch looked at Anya confused. "We already have a bunch of jewelry in storage. Go into the storage and choose one you like. Or just use some money to buy one in Tokyo."
"No! You have to get it, Lelouch! I'm busy with the finishing the Mordred!" she exclaimed turning to her computer, quickly running through the files. Her head then looked back at Lelouch. "And get some gold bars while you're at it. I need it to finish off the Mordred Frontier," she added cheerfully.
Lelouch sighed as he complied with Anya's demands. No rest for the weary. If he wasn't immortal, he would probably have died from all the work he was doing today. But at least he could consider this more psycho-physiological training.
Inside the Menorah's cargo hold, Lelouch opened an ancient chest and looked inside. He sighed before closing it again. Peerless treasures, heirlooms, and relics from the past surrounded him. But for LL, they were worth almost as much as garbage. Most of the objects in the room were priceless relics. And there laid the problem. Aside from their cultural and aesthetic appeal, in reality, most of the so-called treasures were function-less decorations. And moreover, the more iconic items couldn't be sold or displayed since they might arouse suspicion and attention. Normally, this wouldn't have been much of a problem for Lelouch vi Britannia's freed mistress. However, it was a problem for very much alive LL.
Lelouch looked around the Menorah's storage room. He passed several ancient relics, such as an elaborate golden coffin ["the Arc", Indiana Jones Reference] and a rack of dresses.
"Earings… earrings…." Lelouch spoke to himself. He sighed. Even though he had the perfect memory as a benefit as a codebearer, Lelouch had never known where his geassed workers had placed everything in the massive hoard. And beyond that, he never was that good at fashion.
"I can't get Anya something too recognizable. But she'd probably want something rather flashy. It might be good if I asked CC to help… but then she'd probably pick something that Anya would hate." Lelouch's mind argued against him. "But it shouldn't matter, half of the things here are expensive enough."
Lelouch felt a strange yet familiar presence again. In the corner of his eye, Lelouch spotted something strangely familiar. In the corner of the room was a statue of a French Paladin. The statue wore a pure white full-plate armor over a black uniform and a blue cape. It shrunk and recoiled as Lelouch reached for it. Lelouch strode his hand across the breastplate and felt the glowing blue engravings. They were too straight and linear to have been made by any ancient crafting technique. In fact, the blue lines resembled a circuit. Upon the centerpiece was a golden crest; of a blue cross-sword with two large gold wings across it [ ‾\†/‾ ]. The sword impaled a golden geass sigil spread across the wingspan of a white bird and the amour's breastplate. On the back was a red geass symbol engraved. Inside the carvings was an almost liquid glowing blue substance that Lelouch could not identify, but knew instinctively that they were some form of wings.
It was… familiar. LL closed his eyes and searched his memories until he finally recalled where he had once seen it. Yes. Only once before, briefly when C had showed him her memories of the distant past. It was her armor. Armor that she wore as she had strode into the battlefield, followed by her seven allies. Trampling over her foes with a glowing golden sword. However, it seemed as if some of the pieces of the set were missing or replaced. Notably, the red-brimming spear, the boots and gauntlets, and the Golden Helmet. The replacement parts were no less grand but lacked the strange blue carvings and the sigils of geass. Lelouch looked at the hand of the statue. Upon it was a simple, silver ring, a blue geass symbol and wires engraved into it…
Lelouch entered the main hangar pushing a cart containing several gold bars, as requested by Anya. In the workshop, Anya awaited Lelouch atop her Zetland Heart, wearing a heavy apron and an open wielding mask.
"Anya, I'm here. I've got the supplies you requested."
"It's about time you got here! I've finished up with the wiring, but help me work the heat please. You know how bad I'm with it." She threw Lelouch a spare wielding mask and smith's apron. Her face disappeared into the cockpit and the knightmare activated.
"At least it's not more physical work," Lelouch complained internally as he moved to the computer. Typing rapidly, he altered the points of temperature and pressure inside the furnace. Meanwhile, Anya's Zetland Heart took the cart and carefully poured the bars into a lined container, which she let sit on inside the furnace. After a few minutes, the knightmare took out the container and began pounding the mold flat with a prepared hammer. Then she removed the gold and began rounding it out before placing it once more in the furnace with a pair of oversized tons. She took it out and placed the bend strip across the detached head of the Mordred Frontier, pounding it on gently for good measure before spraying a cooling solution over it. Anya jumped off the knightmare with a flip and began to wield some parts of the metal together with Lelouch. As the sun began to set, Anya and Lelouch pounded the gold into shape and then used laser cutters to straighten it out.
It wasn't perfect, but now a genuine gold halo "hairband" reached across the Mordred Frontier's head. However now it also had two spiked horns protruding out of it as well. Anya and Lelouch looked proudly upon their finished creation as her knightmare's factsphere was slowly lowered upon to the body.
Anya and Lelouch had removed their safety equipment and now sat tiredly around the furnace, looking out of the gate. They lost themselves in the beauty outside. Anya had turned the lights off, revealing the cold starry night sky. The curtain of moonshine brightly illuminated the center of the room like a stage light. But the beating glow of the fading furnace in the room's center was comparable to that of a pit fire as warmth and red light spread out from it, combating the blue coldness of the room. The bright stars illuminated the darkness of the sea while the crashing ocean waves below them created a melody of melancholy.
"It's a lovely night," Lelouch noted.
"...Yeah… I wish every night was as nice as this one."
"It will be, as long as we live side by side." A shooting star streaked across the sky. Lelouch activated his green Ceass and showed Anya an enhanced vision. The night sky suddenly cleared, and a meteor shower fell from the sky.
Lelouch coughed and handed her something. "The Ring." Anya's faced turned beet red. "…Ah… that…that was a… joke." Nonetheless, she accepted it with a smile.
Lelouch took a deep breath as he remembered what he needed to get Anya to talk about. It was time. His hand reached into his pocket. "Can you tell me again why did you choose to become a knightmare engineer? You don't have any intentions on going back to the military. And I can't imagine getting a job easily since knightmares are really only used in sports nowadays."
Anya shook her head in disbelief. "You really don't understand the appeal of Giant Fighting Robots?"
"But haven't they been around since you were a child?" pushed Lelouch. "You've lived your entire life around the military and knightmares. Don't you hate them, Mom?"
A conflicting, complex emotion arose from Anya. "No way, Lelouch!" she exclaimed cheerfully. Her mood shifted to confusion and then anger. "But also, yes? Gah, it's so confusing, LuLu. I hate her..." She froze and her eyes looked at Lelouch fearfully. With a single sentence, Lelouch's suspicions were confirmed. He quickly put the hand in his pocket to the black bishop. But… he should make sure, first.
[Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: "Recollection ~ Bewitched Fate" OR Code Geass: "Crooked Diaries"]
"…Is it memories from Marianne, Anya? Or is it you mother?" Lelouch's gentle words brought a calmness to Anya. She sighed in relief. "…Yes and no. You don't need to worry. I'm still 'Anya'. I haven't had any blackouts or gaps in my recollections or anything like that. It's not like when I was under her control."
"I understand completely." Lelouch gave Anya a sympathetic nod. He too, had been cursed with false memories of a false life by the Emperor Charles. Twice. For Anya, who had been controlled for half of her life… Towards Anya's problems Lelouch could out manage a few words. It would be better for her to speak out her feelings for now. "Still, it must have been difficult."
"...Yeah it was. Somedays… I woke up in the middle of nowhere, not knowing how I found myself there. A lot of times, I just had to accept it and try and work myself out of whatever I got myself into. Like becoming the Knight of 6. The doctors said it was memory loss and later ADHD, but I never really believed them. So, I tried recording everything I did. On my phone and on my blog." Anya showed Lelouch her pink and white phone; a massive collection of files and photos were on it. "So, I wouldn't forget. But now… I remember. But it's not just my memories."
Anya glowered in the glow of the ever-fading furnace. "...I get confused with Marianne's memories and instincts from time to time. Sometimes I dream of her past. And parts of her just come out in response to certain situations and when facing certain people. Or sometimes just at random. It'd be useful as a pilot, and still is in Knightmare engineering but… I'm not sure what parts of me are from my childhood, what parts are from her, and which parts are mine!"
Anya hung her head downwards and ranted the feelings in her heart to Lelouch. "Do I act up around you, Jeremiah, and CC because of her relationships with you? Do I act emotionally like I do now because of her strong personality? Or is it because I'm freed from her control? Do I love stuff like knightmares and knightmare engineering because she did? Or is because that's what I was taught growing up as the Knight of Six? Is there truly anything left from who I was before? I don't know how much control she still has over my life. I just… don't know." Tears fell down from her face.
Anya put her hand before her heart and looked up at Lelouch. "I don't want to be her anymore! I want to be me!" she shouted. Lelouch embraced Anya and let her cry on his shoulder. Overcome with Anya's angst, Lelouch began to reach for his anti-geass contacts lens. But he stopped himself and closed his hand and eyes. This was something that he needed to solve by himself, for now. Geass was his sin to bear.
"…What if… what if I forget. What if one day I just wake up and become her?" Anya whimpered.
[Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: "Recollection ~ Golden Revelation", followed by "Mist Belduke ~ Twilight Memories"]
They broke apart and Lelouch looked at her in the eyes "Don't be afraid of her. Marianne is dead but Anya Alstreim is alive."
"But…" Anya began to protest, but Lelouch silenced her once more by grabbing her shoulders. "No matter what happens, you must remember the difference between you and her! Marianne wanted to free herself of the gender inequality and expectations that she faced. And she was willing to sacrifice humanity to that end. And you. But you're better than her, Anya. You have a kind, warm heart."
"A… a warm heart?" Anya looked down at her chest as a small, genuine smile reached her face.
"Yes." Lelouch took the opportunity to grab Nunnally's handkerchief from his breast pocket and wipe the tears off Anya's face. "As for the memories. My parents may have been selfish, but after being defeated; they settled for two final acts of love. For me, Charles bestowed his Code. For you, Marianne left her memories behind. A very important person told me that 'Love can be a curse and a gift.' You just need to accept her memories as a kindness, not just reject them as a curse. Just be yourself. Even if you'll never forgive her, accept that she's a part of you now. A good and bad part."
Lelouch smiled. "I know that's something easier said than done. But remember that I'll always be here for you, if you need someone to talk to."
"Does CC or Jeremiah know?" worried Anya.
LL paused. "I assume she does, but I can't be certain with CC. She was much easier to understand when I was planning my rebellion… but Jeremiah's as dense as you think I am when it comes to your memories."
Anya's face relaxed. "That's good. I don't want Jeremiah to know. My last memories from Marianne are from when she entered the thought elevator. I assume that you killed her. And for that I'm grateful. Both you and Jeremiah freed me. But I know from firsthand experience what I… what she meant to Jeremiah. If he knew, he might hate both himself and you. I don't want our family to fall apart. Me. You. Jeremiah. CC."
Lelouch smirked. "Even with the bickering?" "Even with the bickering." Anya affirmed.
"…Anya, I can understand why CC was hounding you …but what about you. Do you hate her? Is it just because she gave Marianne Geass? Or is it something else?"
Anya sighed. "I don't hate CC, Geass, or Marianne. I know from her experiences that I was just simply an unlucky bystander. The only escape from death at the time. And that without her controlling me, I'd probably be killed by the 'terrorists'. As for CC, she meant a lot to Marianne, and she means a lot to me. She's like a long-lost friend, but also a mother. She's warm and caring, but sometimes cold too. But that's not bad. Sometimes the harshest of critics only hold love in their hearts as they wish to see what they love, learn and grow. We argue and fight, but that's really only because of… love." Anya looked away and blushed.
Lelouch frowned. "Love, huh?" Hidden in his hand, Lelouch deactivated the microphone in the white bishop and then put his hand to the black one. Just in case. Then he removed his contact lens and activated his green Ceass. He had to make sure. "So, are you going to answer my original question or not, Marianne?"
[Code Geass: "Strange Girl"]
Anya stiffened and wiped tears from her reddening eyes. "How cruel of you to refer to me as her right now Lelouch."
"That's 'LuLu' to you, mother. So why don't you stop avoiding the question and tell me the truth?"
Anya's expression dramatically shifted from a crying schoolgirl to an excited mother, who just had her child finally figure something out. She pushed Lelouch away and smiled with closed eyes. The puppeteer revealed herself.
"Ah, as expected of my son! Always so bright, but still so blind to what happens around him. But for your information, I never made any pesky promise not to tell lies, like Charles or VV. Still… I'm surprised that it took you this long to ask! It's been what? Two years? And I've been throwing hints at you like crazy, lately! Seriously… you can't recognize your own mother?" she pouted, thrusting her arms down and turned her face away from him.
"So, it was her fault," thought Lelouch.
"It wasn't that easy to figure out. You've always been quite the actress, when you want to be. You faked your death from those that admired and loved you, after all... But I'd hope that you still aren't hung up on any misconceived ideas of revenge," Lelouch warned.
"Relax!" Marianne finally opened her eyes and looked at Lelouch. Both her wide eyes flamed eerily with red geass as her voice became colder for a moment. "...If I wanted to kill you or CC then you'd already be dead…" She held Lelouch's second black bishop in her hand, which she had somehow pickpocketed from him.
She threw the piece back at him and then returned to her jubilant voice. "But your future beat us in the past! As for Anya! I've been gentler with her. Like she said, dreams and memories and reactions, that's it! Well, aside from moments this week. And right now of, course. I promise! And you know how much I taught you to value promises!"
"You promised that you'd stay with me and Nunnally when we were children," pointed out Lelouch.
"Well that can't be helped! I was killed by Victor! If only he had told me the truth about his feelings for me, none of this would have happened! But he's very, very sorry, you know. In fact, he and Charles have finally made up too!"
"So that's how you justify it, huh. Still as selfish as ever," dismissed Lelouch. "And what of Nunnally?" "Well… she's not here right now, is she? She's busy on that throne that you abandoned…" Lelouch's face contorted in anger.
"Aaand that's why I'm here with you now!" Marianne exclaimed before Lelouch could retort. "Figuratively speaking. Just think of me like a guardian angel." She twirled and then put her hands behind her back, leaning towards Lelouch.
Lelouch raised his eyebrows exaggeratedly as he pointed at her. "Guardian angels don't try to kill God." His eyes narrowed. "Nor do they try to possess little girls. So, what's your true motivation?"
She smiled and stretched out. "Weeeeell. After that time with the Sword of Akasha, we found ourselves face to face with the God that we had tried to kill. It's funny. She didn't force anyone to fight at all, she had just decided to leave humanity to its own devices. She was just a sad little girl who was too afraid to get her hands dirtied again. Still, the Four Cardinals of Eden Vital are in panic now that their beloved mistress is gone. Anyhow, Charles, Victor, and I were 'officially' pardoned by her before she decided to kick the bucket down to you. I can't say that everyone in C's World has forgiven us, but we 'live' well enough. C gave us exactly what we wanted, in our own small little pocket of Eden Vital. A 'personal heaven'. A place without masks or lies or prejudice; a place without god and a place with a unified collective consciousness. And I think all three of us - Charles, Victor, and I - agree that it wasn't what we were looking for... You wouldn't believe how boring it is! Nothing ever happens! You should visit sometime. Your father and your uncle have a few things to tell you personally."
"So, you came back to Earth so you could have a little fun?" Lelouch concluded.
"And to get away from the guys." She confessed. "They can be pushy sometimes."
Lelouch pointed at her. "And what about Anya? When are you going to face her? Tell her the truth? You're the reason that she's so conflicted all the time, you know? You should take responsibility what you've did and done for her."
She raised her eyebrow. "Ah… but she's looking forward to using that as an excuse to talk with you in the future. So, I believe that a decision that you have to make, Lelouch." She winked, unapologetically. "So you can tell her the truth OR remove me from her at any time you want with Jerry's Geass Canceller. However, I wonder what he would say, knowing that I've been around him for so long?" she teased. Lelouch rose threateningly.
Marianne held her hands out and quickly reassured him. "But I won't be as mischievous as I've been these last months, so you can go back to your peaceful life playing 'god of the rats'. I promise."
Lelouch sat back down and relaxed a bit before Marianne grinned. "Hmmm and I can see Anya still has some very special words left for you, you playboy, so I'll leave you to her alone in private. But it was nice to talk with you again. See you another time!" The possessed Anya ran to and hugged Lelouch; returning to the spot she was when she was possessed. But not before planting a kiss on his cheek. The geass sigils in Anya's eyes disappeared as she became bewildered and confused on Lelouch's shoulder. She broke apart with a blush. "What was I…?" "I was asking if you wanted to tell me anything else." said Lelouch kindly, instantly changing his tone. "I'm here for you now, remember."
She shivered a bit from the cold before Lelouch patted her shoulder warmly.
"…Yeah," she confessed, "There's something else. Something between just the two of us."
Was it she going to make a promise of some kind? Or was it information? Lelouch leaned forward, interested in what Anya would say next. Anya's face reddened, and her eyes darted around as Lelouch grew closer. Her heart fluttered terribly but she mustered up her courage. Anya activated her phone and unlocked a special folder labeled "Aries Village". There were several pictures, but Anya hastily opened the last. "…Back in Aries Villa, I was to undergo etiquette lessons from Marianne." She scoffed. "Knowing her, I doubt it would have worked out... Though in retrospect, I think I was to be your knight of honor. After all, she introduced me to her son." Anya smiled as she met Lelouch's eyes. "I met… you."
Lelouch's eyes widened. Had he forgotten his and Nunnally's last precious days of peace in the face of the fury he felt at his mother's death?
Water began to form on her irises. "Lelouch. I don't know if my memories are mine. I don't know if these feelings are right. And maybe I'll never sort either of them out. But. I'm grateful that you gave me a new life. A reason for living. And I'm grateful for these days we've spent together."
Anya reached out towards Lelouch's hand as she choked back tears. Lelouch grabbed her hand firmly, causing her other hand to drop her phone. Her voice wavered as the last embers of the furnace besides them faded. "That's why I want to… to honor my last memories. I want to continue… where they last left off, Lelouch. So that's why I… I need to tell you that I… I want to be…!"
[Music: Code Geass R2: "With You"]
Dom. Dom. Dom. The lights of the hangar activated as CC burst into the room with a food cart, causing Anya to draw away sharply from Lelouch. "Sorry to interrupt your psychotherapy, but dinner is ready!" she announced with a grin.
"And there she is," announced Lelouch.
Anya quickly dried her tears and sobered herself. "Wha…? How much did you hear?!" she demanded with a flushed face.
CC grinned. "Enough to know what's going on. I believe Lelouch intended for us to mend our relationship because he's had Jeremiah go to town and the speakers in the house activated this entire time."
Lelouch gave a smile to CC as he revealed the microphone in the white bishop in his hand. "The Witch is correct. I hope it was enough for you to better understand each other."
CC scowled at her nickname and then looked at Anya with a slightly bowing her head. "Don't listen to him," she said. "Anya. I'm… sorry I toyed with your feelings. I should know how important they can be. I was just jealous. I couldn't control myself. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."
Anya was shocked. CC? Apologizing? "CC…" she stammered.
"That being said…" CC continued on. She placed a covered platter before Anya and raised her eyebrows. "I did make good on my morning promise to you and Lelouch. Tonight's dessert is your favorite." She took off the cover, revealing a chocolate Simnel cake with a poop (emoji) shaped plate of pudding atop of it with two stupid googly eyes. Labeled 'Anya'.
Anya and Lelouch laughed childishly while CC giggled for a moment before she looked curiously at Anya. "By the way, I wasn't able to hear what you were talking about in the latter half. Something about… Love?" she raised an eyebrow.
"I… no." Anya thought to herself with closed eyes, before opening them. 'The way we are now is fine. I don't know why I did what I did. I guess I was just being selfish. I really do need to keep my emotions in check.'
Anya laughed. "It's nothing that you don't know yourself. And something he won't ever understand."
CC smirked then laughed with her. "True enough!"
"Understand what?" Lelouch spoke confused as the two continued on. "Hey, don't ignore me! What don't I understand?"
Down on the hanger floor, Anya's fallen phone had swiped to the side, revealing an image of a young, love-stricken Anya hugging an annoyed child Lelouch in a white suit.
Next Time:
A blank, black TV appears before the screen turns to white. SPECIAL INTERVIEW: An image of Zero's mask circled and crossed out in red appears.
Act 2.75: The End of the Beginning
*Note: Act 2.75 is delayed indefinitely due to spoiling Act 1 and the 2 other arcs.
Aside 2.00: Knightmare Frame Information: New Generations, Lancelot Albion Frontier, Mordred Frontier, Gawain Ghost
Act 3.00: A Peace of Pudding
BONUS (Will be transferred to Act 2.75 once it comes out, never)
Later that night.
"Whooshhhhh. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink." Together, Anya and CC washed dishes in the kitchen sink.
"…CC. About LuLu."
"Yes? What about him?"
"…Do you… love him?" she asked hesitatingly.
"I suppose… I do." CC nodded. "But I think I will be willing to let you get close to him too." Anya's head quickly spun to look at CC in surprise.
"After what I've had and done in the past, I really don't have the right to be jealous of any of Lelouch's other relationships. I'll be just fine sharing him as long as you don't do anything stupid that compromises our shared relationship, like trying to kill…. Ah that's right." CC shoulders fell in relaxation.
Both Anya's eyes flickered red for a brief moment, looking at CC widely. "What nonsense are you speaking CC? I can't, even if I wanted to! You're both immortal. And even if I could; killing out of jealousy? Trust me. That's the last thing I'll ever do!" she said cheerfully.
"That's fair. And what about you? What will make you happy, Anya?" She looked down back at the dishes, beginning in a lower tone. "…I'd hate to be guilty of asking anything too selfish… But if I could, I would just like to stay by his side. I'd like for him to be by my side when I die. With all of my friends and family."
"Then it seems like we both really had no reason to fight in the first place, did we?"
"…How illogical." agreed Anya quietly. "…But that's… love." She blushed.
"Both a gift and a curse," nodded CC.
*CC reflects on her meeting with Charles and his 100+ wives.
Last Updated: 5/13/2019
Author's Epilouge
I put a lot of thought into writing this chapter. I'm quite proud of it. Well.. I put a lot of thought into all of my acts so that's not saying much.
I hope you enjoy Anya's character development. I've been hinting and foreshadowing it like crazy.(And way more in the past Euro Britannia Arc) However, I was unable to make Anya as outgoing and clever as I'd like. I wanted to have her have a skill as an "actor" like Marianne. Though technically, she did manipulate Jeremiah into giving her a day off. I did do Maria(nya)/Marianne justice though, aside from making her an exposition dump. Can't be helped since she had so much to tell Lelouch. I also should have made Lelouch more overly analytical and critical. I think I did do a decent job of portraying CC though; teasing, independent, and (almost) unapologetic. Though I could have made her a bit more kindhearted. I need to foreshadow and demonstrate Anya's love for Lelouch better. Perhaps in Act 1 and a side story where Anya and CC fight particularly viciously for his affection? Today was rather "tame", aside from the knightmare threat.
I've also updated Act 1 and Act 2.25 recently, if you'd like to take a look. I've taken the criticism to heart and put my comments at the end. In other news. I was researching the Wizard of Oz for a possible O3 (Oz of the Rejection) since that's what the Glinda Knights are based off. And holy shit I came up with a lot of material references. Also, I'm considering some card symbolism. Anya is the "Queen of Hearts", after all. The Jester/Joker is some pumpkinhead dude who going to act like a mix of the scarecrow and the Joker. Maybe I should read Alice of Wonderland? Please leave feedback and ideas. Reviews are my lifeblood and encourage me to write. A simple "thanks" would make my day.
At first, I had a hard time coming up with how to write Kallen. At first, I couldn't really view her anything else but "Lelouch's lost lover" or "Pilot of the Gurren." {NGE: "If you continue riding the Eva. It will become your only defining aspect."} or a mentoring "Yoko" (appropriately; Gurren Laggan). However, I finally figured out how to develop "Q1". Kallen has settled into a life as a pawn. This is reflected by how her hair is not completely spiked upwards. Her arc is rejection of that life to be "The Queen". Breaking free of her bonds of a pawn; being promoted to a true queen (reflecting chess) and deciding to help "her lord" or ideals; even at the risk of self-sacrifice and disobeying orders.
Thanks for Reading
- Hyperior V
Reflective Analysis
Music
As you have read, I am planning to provide samples of music appropriate for some scenes. If you like the music, then please leave a comment telling me so. If you feel that it interrupts the flow and you don't listen anyways, please tell me. I'm not a composer/arranger, but I do know a bit about basic music theory. I've strove to match the themes and titles of the OST soundtrack to what's happening, as you've seen so far.
*Outdated I've also given Lelouch a musical theme; an association with violins. Moments around or with Lelouch will often (but not always) include some form of string instrument. For example, in the first moments of my modified Opening [World End], the beginning starts with Lelouch as a single violin note is played. I show off Lelouch (after Zero/Suzaku and CC in the flash of images) just as the violins begin their melody. And so on. I've always enjoyed violins. They're soft, sweet, and add melancholy and sorrow. For Lelouch, it reflects his "ghost" theme and one of the future Arcs. They're also basically discount choirs too. …Of course, I may also play music with violins around other characters too if the atmosphere is appropriate. Not sure how much I can commit. *Retconned due to too much effort required and limitations imposed.
Lelouch's Guilt Complex and Mind
"I'm afraid you're not the type of person to keep your mind empty. There's a part of you that is a critic, constantly watching your own moves, and there's another part that's an observer, watching the critic. Watching you." - Mao
In the word of the supersane Mao, Lelouch is "a critic", but also "a critic of a critic". An accuser and an accuser of an accuser. This is essential to his theme and personality as a "Black King"; someone who reacts against the evils in the world. This will not change
However, in order to portray Lelouch as a "White King", I'm going to try and emphasize the "critic of a critic". In other words, I want to give Lelouch a sort of "guilt complex" reflecting that of Suzaku in R1. Guilty that he's survived and now fully repenting on his evil deeds in R1 and R2. This reflects the exchange of colors and themes when Lelouch took the throne of Britannia. However, Lelouch will still be a semi-"reactionary" person. Of course, without any prompting, Lelouch has already begun helping the world from the shadows via economics (more on that in later Acts).
Chessboards
In his possession, Lelouch had three chessboards.
The first chessboard represents Nunally's wish for a gentler world and Lelouch's desire to make a better world for Nunnally. And to avenge his mother. His motivation in R1. The fact that is was in a glass case means that Lelouch both treasures Nunnally and prepared to protect her again if need be.
The second chessboard represents the wishes of the Japanese for a hero and for Lelouch's desire to avenge the suffering of the Japanese. (?) Technically it would also work out if Rolo gave it to him?
The third chessboard is a work-in-progress, because Lelouch doesn't know what he wants. Except perhaps... redeemption? And a bunch of other symbolism I mentioned last chapter, I think.
Knightmare Engineering
I wanted to give Anya, LL, and CC some character development and something to do during their retirement. It doesn't feel like LL would be one to idle his time. So I had him and Anya focus on Knightmare Engineering, amongst other things. This was something that would reflect Marianne's pioneering of the Ganymede and also give an excuse to introduce some of the new upgraded knightmares that will be used in some of the future battles.
Anya Part 2
Like the title of the sub-Act suggests, Anya has Marianne's "Dreams of Knightmares". But the title could be interpreted as the Dreams of the Nightmare; with the knightmare being Marianne. It also means that Anya's memories from Marianne are both "dreams" and "nightmares". Or a "curse and a blessing" as Lelouch put it. Her emotionless stature in the past will also be a boon later. Symbolically, she represents the mother, the daughter, and later maybe a holy spirit…
Anya is going to be a major character in this fanfiction. Despite being an emotionless "blank slate" in the anime, she's now got the most Unfinished Business [Xenoblade Chronicles: Unfinished Business] after being freed from Marianne's control. A childhood that she needs to regain/continue. Conflicting memories from Marianne. Social awkwardness and a lack of common sense. Complex feelings about Lelouch that rival Rei (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Princess Leia. And a future as a knightmare engineer and pilot of the Mordred Frontier. Therefore, she will have the most character development out of all of the characters I can think of so far. The second and third being a spoiler and the fourth being Lelouch. However, like she said, she still hasn't figured out herself entirely. Like a shitty harem show, her attempted and failed confession changes nothing much. She still has yet to accept her love, memories, and emotions. Psychotherapy isn't a one-time deal. But LL and Anya's talk will help her with a final revelation soon in the future.
Anya = Hestia/Vestia
Symbolically, Anya represents Vestia/Hestia, the Greek Goddess of the Hearth, Fire, and Home; one of the Olympians who abdicated her throne for Bacchius/Dionysus (God of Alcohol). That's important for later.
The hearth is the furnace of the home. It warms and heats up the house and the heart. Anya does remind Lelouch of Nunnally and his peaceful life. In the setpiece of the moonlit hangar, I had Anya be around a forge. The hearthstone could be taken to relate to Hephaestus. However, the symbolic title of Hephaestus will be going to Anya's friend Neya, who I hope to develop in Act 1 (and Act 3). Though, the furnace could also be associated with Hephaestus and the forge, relating to Anya's liking for Knightmare Development.
The Hearth also represent her Knightmare Frame, the Mordred Frontier. The Mordred Frontier is much bulkier (like a chimney) and also uses pink Sakuradite Explosives, and Red/(Orange) Stark Hadron Beams/Cannons. Far from the meek goddess she would sound to be, Hestia was worshiped as an alternative to Aries for defenders of the house and home. And as Lelouch said himself, Anya has a strong loving heart, unlike Marianne. I wonder if that heart will be tested…
At first, Anya will be the second worst cook right after Cecile Croomy. She has a tendency to fuck up the heating, often burning the food. And then the whole house. Probably because she's "on her phone during it". After a certain fateful meeting with a certain bartender, she'll become the second/third best, when not sabotaged by CC. Maybe I'll have them cook something together, afterwards in 2.75? Ah, but they've already had dinner.
Anya X LL
As for Anya's Love for Lelouch; it's complicated. Anya loved Lelouch as a childhood friend and those feelings were reborn as she spent time with Lelouch. However, Anya is also very confused because of her memories, emotions, and habits of his Mom. Then that also includes competition from CC, whom Marianne regarded as a friend. Marianne did suspect CC had a crush on LL, which she kinda wants to reject. Also, LL is immortal, and she isn't. On top of all this, she's just recently reached puberty. In R2 she was 15. 15! So now 2.5-3 years later she's about 17-18. (Legal now boyzzz.) As for Marianne's feelings about Lelouch, that's a bit more complex.
SUPER SPOILER. Neither of them know about it yet, but they're also going to be distantly related by blood, which is why Anya looks a bit like Euphy. Not joking. It's important to the story. And no, I'm not just doing a "Princess LeiaXLuke" thing, I did it for a reason unlike Lucas, that lazy bastard. "They fight"? Really? Just wanted to give you a heads up. SPOILER END.
However, I'd like to state again that this is a LL X CC Fic. Anya's feelings are one sided. And are only to compare and show CC's own feelings to LL. And to make her more endearing to you before I [Data Redacted]. After this Act, Anya gives up competing with CC for love. She still has feelings but doesn't chase them. But happy to get Lelouch's affection. Kinda (un)like Milly.
Marianne's Geass [The Soul]
Possesses a target/victim. Reduces emotional and mental state of target; reflecting Marianne's "code" that one should live freely and enthusiastically, unbound by social or gender norms. Awakened once Marianne realizes that she wanted love from her children.
Marianne's Awakened Geass [The Guardian] (Post "Death of God")
Marianne's geass has awakened upon realizing that she wanted to care for and be loved by her family. Now, her geass is much more subtle and is more akin to manipulation rather than outright possession. Reductions on Any'a emotional state have been lifted. Additionally, Marianne can use her ability "actively" instead of passively being stuck in Anya's mind. Mostly it's because her soul is in the Dominion of Eden Vital (of C's World) and has access to a certain device. She could technically use her geass on other people but never thinks of that idea. Because she isn't that intelligent; only confident, clever, and deceptive.
Marianne is still "Chaotic Evil", but now that "evil" is orientated into giving Lelouch's childhood back. This can be seen in how little she cares about Anya's confession/feelings at all, still seeing her as a puppet, though treating it with slightly more respect.
Extra
In the last chapter, Lelouch asked CC about her past. In this chapter, Anya tells Lelouch hers. Like Shirley, they want to prey on his sympathy for affection.
French Orange harvest in Fall/Winter? F*** weather. I'm already accounting for hundreds of other factors.
By the way, do you remember how Anya threatened CC with her knightmare? Marianne actually used to do that against the other royal consorts as described in a Drama CD. It always worked, so Anya tried to use the same technique on CC. This failed of course since CC is immortal, has been in several battles before, and knew Anya wouldn't actually do it. If she did, then CC would have been able to defeat the Mordred Frontier eventually, assuming it didn't activate it's fight capability and fly outside the hangar, where she couldn't reach (yet).
California Institute of Technology – That's where Nina Einstein is. That's where Albert Einstein went after the Nazi's took hold of Germany. Was considering renaming California, "Castorfornia", but meh.
Lelouch acts as a confidant/confessor to Anya, reflecting his Jesus-ness once more.
"Frankly, She's at odds with herself. Because she used to be different; she never placed any importance on another person. It was tough enough for me to kill my half-brother Clovis, yet ? had ? She's been carrying that burden all these years"* ? – LL Season 1 about Cornelia
Couldn't fit this into dialogue:
"How are you here? How do you still have Geass?" Lelouch demanded. "Because now I know what I want. I want to spent time teasing a son I never was able to!" "How do you still have Awakened Geass, when you're dead?" he corrected himself. "Oh, I don't know about geass much. You're much more likely to find an answer from the previous directors of the Geass Order; CC or VV. I suppose I spent so much time in Anya's body that I made it part of my own? Maybe its because I'm in C's world of a collective subconsciousness? Or maybe something to do with my body still technically being alive?" "It is?" "Yes, but heavily wounded. Perfectly preserved in the moments before my death in a state between life and death. Don't you remember what I said back in the Sword of Akasha? 'As long as my body exists there's a chance I might be able to return to it.' As for where it is… I couldn't tell you even if I wanted. You should come to C's world and talk to Charles. He knows where it is." Lelouch sneered. "I have no desire to try desecrating my mother's corpse."
And a wide screen computer, hotwired to Lelouch vi Britannia's custom, unlisted satellite network. Created with the highest technology available, the satellite network was both undetectable and unhackable. - Note; it's already been hacked by Yukiya Naruse from Akito's wZERO squad, who uses it too. They haven't found each other out. Yet. The only other person who uses it is Anya. Free superspeed phone network, baby.
"Guardian angels don't try to kill God." His eyes narrowed. "Nor do they try to possess little girls. - Code Geass: Meggido Reference
Simnel cake - Symbolically associated with Lent & Easter and particularly Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent)
"Though in retrospect, I think I was to be your knight of honor." - This is backed up by the fact that in Knightmare of Nunnally, Rolo-Lelouch had Anya as his knight. Non-canon, but still worth noting.
CC meant the pudding on the cake to be an insult; kinda like saying "Stupid, fat, shithead." Or at least in my mind.
"And even if I could; killing out of jealousy? Trust me. That's the last thing I'll ever do!" - Marianne was killed by VV out of jealousy. And ironic given that Marianne litterally killed people to remove prejudice. And also foreshaaaadowing ehehehe.
"…I'd hate to be guilty of asking anything too selfish… But if I could, I would just like to stay by his side. I'd like for him to be by my side when I die. With all of my friends and family."
- "I'd hate to be guilty of asking too much, but if I could, I would just like to leave this flask" - Dwarf in the Flash, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Anya is the Black (and White) Bishop; she DOES stand by the "King's" side, symbolically.