"Oh, it's such a beautiful ship!" Nunally exclaimed as their carriage pulled up to the now heavily populated and clamoring Pendargon Port.
"There are so many people Lelouch, why? Is everyone leaving on a ship today? They couldn't possibly all fit with the amount of anchored ships I see!" Nunnally gestured to the three anchored ships. Lelouch loved his little sisters endless pursuit of knowledge, something he prided himself for imparting on her.
"Ports are always very busy in the mornings and at the beginning and end of the month Nunnally, also, we're not on the main dock either, there's a whole other dock with more ships anchored beyond that jetty over there, but access to all the docks are granted through here and most if not all of the commerce is done through that administration building right there. Everything that comes in and out gets recorded, catalogued, and sifted through that building" He watched as Nunnally eagerly soaked up every word, shifting her gaze with alacrity at everything Lelouch pointed to. 'I could do this forever' he thought fondly as he watched his younger sisters excitement bubble to the surface.
Lelouch hopped out of the carriage to unfolded Nunallys wheelchair, getting her situated while the carriage driver went to inform Captain Gotwald that the Britannia party had arrived and to dispatch some deck hands to help them board. The party included the two Britannia siblings, Nunnallys personal caretaker, Sayoko, and 3 guards, namely Diethard Reid, Mao (nobody could pronounce his last name so years back, it just sort of faded into obscurity), and their superior, Gino Wineberg. They were three of the highest regarded of the personal security team and due to that fact, his father and entire family had been adamantly against deploying them for this trip. The "official" reason for the trip being for Lelouch to meet with the Prime minister of Japan, Genbu Kururugi, to help facilitate healthy diplomacy with the eventual goal of opening up the eastern trading routes and promise of protection through those channels. Gino was the Britannia family's and their company's head security detail supervisor, and Lelouch had to be extra… insistent… with Schneizel to… persuade him to allow Gino to accompany them on what Schneizel called a "purly frivolous trip." Even though he sat with Lelouch for hours going over the foundations for what to say and even made vague comments pertaining to the pertinence of success in the matter. Lelouch figured the contradiction between the two was just to irritate him enough for Schneizel to get his jollies. He hadn't given in at that time, but he more than made up for it asking for Gino. 'All for Nunnally' was ticker taping across his mind through the entire ordeal. But in the end, he got his ideal team. Even Sayoko was technically a Shodokan Aikaido mater, she just didn't pursue it for some reason and was happy acting as a maid and caretaker for a lovely disabled child. Nunally vehemently believed that it was because she had her brother and Sayoko that she was able to live and with such cheery disposition.
Both siblings attention was drawn to three approaching deck hands strolling over. Two familiar and one not.
"Oh Suzaku, Rivalz, Good morning." Nunally started "And who might this be?" She addressed the third boy in their party. "Boy" was the perfect adjective since he didn't look much older than 15.
"…Hello again Lady Nunnally" Suzaku started after giving Rivalz adequate time to make the appropriate introductions, which he seemed to fail miserably at. 'well, nothing new' Suzaku thought. "And this is Rolo, our newest deck-hand" he finished while starting to pile the carry-on luggage onto the trolly they'd brought.
"Good morning Lady Nunnally" Rolo said and after nudging Rivalz for being rude and staring, Rivalz finally piped up too "Oh, g..good morning, Lady Nunnally! I hope you're well." Nunally just giggled and gave a head tilt in his direction.
The little show had not been lost on Lelouch who stepped between Rolo/Rivalz and Nunnally with a simple smile on his face.
"I believe I neglected to introduce myself the last time, it was rather rude of me, I apologize and hello, my name is Lelouch Vi Britannia, I'll be the party's commissioner so if you have ANY issues, please, address them to one of our personnel STAFF or myself directly" Lelouch made it more than clear that he wanted them avoiding Nunnally at all costs. Suzaku caught on sneering at the mans condescension and couldn't help himself when he took the place behind Nunallys wheelchair.
"Rivalz, take Rolo and put the luggage into their rooms, I'll show them around and join you in a bit" and with that, he started pushing Nunnallys wheelchair. This action took Lelouch by surprise and he almost lunged towards the Japanese boy to take his rightful place back when Nunnallys hand came up and grabbed his arm "walk WITH me for once, please?" she looked up with pleading eyes. Lelouch's hesitancy was visible on every feature, which was very uncharacteristic of the usually stoic boy who had become damn good at hiding his emotions behind a hardened exterior. "Uhm, well… I suppose then, please mr…?"
"Sumeragi"
"Ok, please Mr Sumeragi, be very careful and gentle when escorting my sister"
The concerned tone and look on the tall raven haired man surprised Suzaku, who could only nod in agreement. And in a gesture he would come to regret not 5 minutes later, Suzaku said "You can call me Suzaku, I'd prefer it"
"And finally" Suzaku emphasized that last word, "here are your estate rooms, your luggage should already be delivered." He was so over this tour after having to field non-stop complaints from a certain violet-eyed boy about the ship he so dearly loved and called home. All Lelouch Vi Britannia had done was comment on how inefficient it was for the kitchen to be so far from the pantry or how ridiculous it was that the crew barracks were so close to the galley and sun room. Undoubtedly because this man enjoyed his privacy but it wasn't as if the crew were even allowed access and Suzaku made sure Lelouch knew that the crew would be careful in avoiding him, much to the approval of the latter. But as much as Suzaku wanted to lay out the reason why the crew would avoid such a miserable individual, he stayed his tongue, reminding himself that this family owned the place he called home. No amount of rocky waves ever made Suzaku sea-sick, but that thought churned his stomach a bit.
"Thank you, Suzaku, the tour was very pleasant and it's a lovely ship, I feel blessed to get to spend 3 months aboard the Marianne." Nunnally had picked up on the fondness in Suzaku's voice when he described The Marianne's attributes. He smiled a warm and genuine smile down at her after escorting her into her room, with Lelouch following so close behind him, he could practically feel raven-haired boys breath on the back of his neck.
"Right Lelouch? Thank Suzaku too, please, don't be rude." She addressed her brother, who was silently taking in the room.
"Of course I was going to, Nunnally, let's not forget who taught you your impeccable manners." He teased his sister and Suzaku felt that fleeting sense of humanity again, very briefly that is, until the man stood looking at him with cold eyes and a smile that any normal person would say didn't contradicted his eyes but Suzaku easily recognized as a feigned attempt at warmth.
"Thank you for the tour and welcoming us on the ship. I apologize if any of my comments may have offended, twas not my intent, you could say I am a man who values efficiency." 'You're a critical bastard' Suzaku thought, trying his hardest to plaster an equally fake smile across his face, yet he desperately hoped his was visibly apparent in its fraudulency.
"You're very welcome, if you need anything, you can appoint a liaison to speak with one of the crew officers"
"Oh speaking of, who would those be? I would like to get acquainted with the 1st officer personally" Suzaku winced at that last comment, he was hoping he could just pass off as a lowly deck-hand in front of these passengers. It wasn't really as if the term "officer" held any real connotation worth noting, he did the same stuff as everybody else, he was required to pull equal weight. The position just gave him the added responsibility of delegating tasks and making sure everything was taken care of. He considered for moment relinquishing the title to Rivalz or asking captain Gotwald to assign someone else when he remembered exactly how insistent the captain had been in the first place, he had practically revoked Suzakus freedom of choice by forcing him into the position. So as much as it pained him to utter the next sentence, he sucked it up, along with a much needed calming breath and continued
"I am the first officer, but really, you should just assign a liaison, it's how every other passenger has always done it (he lied) and seems to be the most… efficient (he purposefully picked the word)." Lelouch had actually given quite a bit of consideration to the best method of interaction with the crew and passengers. Due the lengthiness of the journey, he wanted to acquaint himself with at least a few of the higher crew members, Captain and first officer being two on his list. He knew the captain was extremely busy however so resolved himself to the first officer.
"Right well, efficiency isn't everything, I require effectiveness as well, so, you will be reporting straight to me, not to say that a liaison will not be picked for the more mundane tasks, of which I hope most will be compromised. I have a few serious concerns to broach Mr. Sumer… er… Suzaku, so if you could accompany us for dinner in the next few days, it would be much appreciated, I'll leave you the option of choosing which night." Lelouch had planned for himself, Gino, Sayoko, Nunally, and the first officer to be present to discuss logistics and security. Suzaku inwardly groaned "Of course Lord Vi Britannia, thank you for the invitation, I'll let you know."
"I look forward to it, also, Lelouch is fine" 'Was that a sign of him opening up? Ha, no, he's just trying to befriend me for his own personal gain' (which wasn't far from the truth).
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Sir is fine" There it was "But when you need to address me specifically, Lelouch, please" Lelouch clarified.
"Of course, well, we'll be setting off in the next few hours, if you or Lady Nunnally have need for anything, I guess…" *INWARD SUPER SIGH* "Let me know"
"Yes thanks, you're dismissed" Suzaku took offense to that, 'asshat, I was leaving of my own volition' but he just gave a barely bow/head nod and left.
"So are the passengers settled in? How did the tour go?" Rivalz had arrived early to the pre-launch crew meet to bug his friend and confide something which had been bothering him.
"Well, let's just say it took all my will power to not take them down to the engine room and demonstrate how the body is made up of carbon just like the coal we use, using one Lord Vi Britannia as an example… hrm… maybe I could have even documented the difference in power output and published a paper and become a famous scientist and murderer. Yes, if that had happened, I would at least be free of having to dine with that man." Rivalz looked at his twisted friend, who was looking up, still clearly playing out the daydream to an extreme end. He wondered how his sweet, mild mannered friend's mind could comprehend such gruesome things.
"Yeaaaa, heh" Rivalz let out a guarded laugh "But listen… that Lady Nunnally, she's something else, huhn?" That statement burst the bubble Suzaku had been happily living in.
"Rivalz… Don't… She's… you have to know, class, station, please don't make me say it." And he really didn't want to because if it was up to him, Rivalz deserved the queen, he was such a sweet person. If this stupid society with its stupid idiotic and prejudicial traditions didn't exist, then maybe his friend could live the life he wanted, pursue who he wanted. But as it stood, none of them could and it would do them well to remember it.
"I know Suzaku… of COURSE I know, I'm not as naïve as you think… and I'm not making plans, it's just a stupid juvenile crush and I just wanted someone to share it with" That made Suzaku feel a little guilty, but sad still because his friend couldn't pursue the crush.
"Well if that's the case… I think she's soo sweet! I mean, to be in that situation and be as happy as she is! It kind of makes me wonder…"
"About what?"
"Just something that was said earlier, the cretin parading as her 'compassionate' brother said he was the one who taught her her manners, probably just inflating his own ego thinking he had some part in raising that girl, don't get me wrong, he loves her, A LOT. But no way he was the primary influence in her life, I personally think it's her mother, I bet her mother is a wonderful person."
"Yeah… probably! So you're having dinner with them? Is it an open invitation for all officers?" A legitimate question, Rivalz was 2nd officer and even though their titles were used so little that most of the crew wouldn't be able to name who the officers were, using their station wasn't forbidden when it was advantageous to them.
"You know what, I'll see and try to push for it. It would be nice to have you there for company." Suzaku smirked at the beam being emitted from his best friend.
*knock knock*
Suzaku had considered sending someone else up to provide an answer to which night he was free for dinner but if he did that, then he couldn't try his hardest to get Rivalz an invitation
"Who is it?" a deep voice came from behind the estate door.
"Suzaku Ku…Sumeragi sir" Suzaku cursed himself for his little slip.
"Enter" The voice beckoned back. Suzaku walked into the room, somewhat still distracted at his stupid little almost slip-up, why had he said that? He hadn't uttered that name in over four years. 'it's that stupid Lelouch, he just makes me see so much red that it blocks my normal faculties' he thought as he practically mowed the subject of his thoughts over.
Lucky for them, in that injuries were minimized, there was a couch directly behind Lelouch. Unlucky for them, in that it maximized awkwardness, there was a couch directly behind Lelouch. Suzaku landed practically straddling the other boy. In shock, whilst still straddling Lelouch, Suzaku looked slightly down into deep violet eyes that were filled with equal amounts of shock and… something else? Suzaku saw it for a femto-second before it was replaced with the perpetual scowl Lelouch hid behind, which was downright terrifying at that proximity.
"OH GOD" Suzaku scrambled off looking genuinely frightened "I'm so sorry, my mind was preoccupied and I… that couch wasn't there earlier, it was over there and I just thought I had more room and… that's not a good excuse, there really is no good excuse, so… I'm sorry"
Lelouch chuckled at the fumbling idiot in front of him. It made him kind of sad though too, why was this boy, probably around the same age as he was, so upset? Lelouch had always tried to be an intimidating presence to an extent, but never scary, well… not to strangers who didn't deserve his wrath anyways. Well, all he could do was try to quell the stammering boy for now.
"It's completely fine, it was an accident, that much is clear. Although, like I always tell Nunnally, learn from your accidents. Maybe next time don't come into my room with your gaze to the ground, you know… look at me, I mean your surroundings, or the subject of your interest… interest meaning who you're addressing…" Now it was Lelouch's turn fumble.
"Hah… right, no, I get it… maybe I should just leave and re-knock so we could pretend this never happened…" but as much as Lelouch would have loved accepting that option, Suzaku really didn't want to because it was kind of refreshing seeing this guy who was so proper lose his articulation skills, it made him feel more human, that was for sure.
"Well, have you settled on a da.. which night you'll be coming?" Lelouch was certainly regaining his composure. He wouldn't be a slave to innuendos, that's for damn sure, language was his bitch, not the other way around.
"Yes sir, I was thinking day after tomorrow? I have a lax schedule that day" 'Why am I offering up a qualifier?' He mentally chided himself for it.
"Ah, good then, well if that's all, I'll make arrangements. So 7 o'clock in my estate room."
"Your estate room? Not the dining room?"
"Yes, well I wanted privacy, I believe the dining room is open to the Ashford family as well as both our and the Ashfords full parties, so my estate room please. You're dismissed" That phrase was really getting on Suzakus nerves, he wasn't there to serve this guy and he most definitely wasn't his to boss around like that.
"Well, excuse me, dismissal not accepted, I'm not quite finished…" Suzaku tried his hardest not to sound condescending, if only to prove he was the better man.
That statement took Lelouch by surprise… this was his familys ship after all, making all the personnel basically their… his… employees. Still, it's not as if he could fire the kid now that they were already a full day and a half out to sea. But he might do something later, he filed the possibility away. For a while anyway, he needed the 1st officer to be on good terms with him so he swallowed his pride and decided not to use the phrase with the boy anymore, but that didn't mean he would concede without first gaining the upper hand. (Yes, only Lelouch could still win while conceding something)
"Ah, well, if I say 'continue,' will you also take offense to that, or do you like to pick and choose what commands you want to follow?" Innuendos be damned, or maybe it wasn't even that bad of one but Lelouch was just hyper-aware after their… encounter and subsequent events.
"I just… don't appreciate being dismissed, it's human nature, no matter of ones station, even someone as lowly as a lady of the night wouldn't want being dismissed by everybody"
"What does it say that you can't tolerate one dismissal? A lady of the night no doubt has to endure through many, am I someone to you that you feel does not deserve to dismiss you? Or is it the opposite, that you want me to hold you in higher regard?" Lelouch tipped his head to the side, out of genuine curiosity for the answer.
"I… want… to be… treated with a modicum of respect, no matter who the individual, it's my self-worth, it's not contingent on you."
"Would you say so to a God or the Queen? I can't imagine that would draw much rebuttal from you" Lelouch switched crossed legs.
"Arrogant much? Look, just forget it…" 'Check mate' Lelouch thought "dismiss me if you want, do it now actually, I'd like nothing better than to get out of your presence so say it, say it more, only say that, and I'll be happy" Lelouch smiled at his victory.
"Well, I'm most certainly not doing anything to bolster your happiness, besides, maybe I feel bad for whatever pillow you will inevitably punish after this so… how about I just change the rhetoric a bit…? Instead of dismiss, I will say 'you are free to leave' how would that work?" Suzaku took a step back from the shock. Was this asshole really compromising rather than just stepping on his face while bombarding him with well thought out insults. He hated how quick witted the stupid cretin was. Suzaku wasn't dim witted by any means but even he realized a verbal sparring match with this man would end in his utter defeat.
"Wha..uhm, yea. Thank you… Oh and I wanted to ask if the 2nd regent officer could join us for dinner?"
"Most likely no, but why? Witnesses in case I'm mean to you again?" Any and all good feeling that may have been fostered between the two went out the window. Well, Suzaku's anyways, Lelouch still had his plan of firing the guy at the earliest convenience.
"I can handle your abrasive insults just fine thanks, it says more about you as a person anyways" 'bully' he thought "And it's because I defer a lot to Rivalz, and trust me when I say I won't be available at your beck and call. It may do you well to formalize yourself with crew other than me, I welcome, nay, insist on it"
"Hmm… I'll take your insistence into consideration. Even so, the answer remains no and if that is all, you're free to leave." Suzaku was seething now, there really was no other reason this prick was doing this other than to exploit his power. But even so, Suzaku had already teetered the line of propriety with almost royalty so he stepped back and turned to leave.
"Good night, Suzaku" and Suzaku had never felt more upset that he had given that man the right to use his first name. He wanted to revoke it but it would have been a very immature move.
"Good night, sir" Suzaku shut the door behind him with a bit of attitude.
Lelouch wasn't denying the 2nd officer a seat at the table because he was just a jerk. It was because he needed ample time to go over all his concerns and many of those were classified to remain between those he deemed necessary to know, the 2nd officer not being one of them. He grumbled and pulled out his pen and few notecards and wrote the same thing on each one, except for one, then he called Mao into his room.
Suzaku was in the middle of punching the shit out of his cushion, avoiding the pillow because it was what that jerk had referenced earlier and he took what little joy he could in proving that man wrong, neglecting to accept even a little how accurate the prediction was. He slammed the cushion back onto his loveseat when he heard a knock. "WHAT? COME IN"
"Message for you, here you go" Mao handed the card to him. Suzaku thanked him and closed the door and read the card.
"Official Britannia Dinner Time/Date: 6 PM (Changed from 7), Wednesday Evening
Location: Lelouch Vi Britannia Estate Room
Additional Notes: Bring your loyal puppy dog if you cannot survive without him." And Suzaku genuinely wondered how he could still hate a guy who had just done something nice.
In his room, Lelouch smiled recalling the nights events. Granted he was going to fire Suzaku Sumeragi but he was kind of enjoying having someone challenge his authority a bit. He figured he would soak up as much as he could, which he was sure would be more than enough soon, of course, until he fired the guy that is.