Audacity chapter 13.
*I feel significantly better now; I can finally feel my face and no longer and require the use of Vicodin. That aside, Merry belated Christmas and all that good stuff, may all your hopes, dreams, and crap like that happen and stuff… Meh whatever.*
Response to review by: Eva-saiyajin. Thank you, the entire purpose behind the 'reprimanding' with Jeremiah at that specific point in time was to make Cypher 01's actions and thoughts seem completely erratic, when in fact they are typically thought out and rational… But less on the rational side sometimes.
Response to review by: LEGENDRY. You have two very sharp points to your arguments; I agree with the second one I'm happy someone finally pointed this out. But when it comes the first one I must say I side with my character slightly more, despite the fact Schneizel and Suzaku were left behind to ensure things didn't go amiss, you have to remember two things about human beings. One, we die after a set amount of time… Typically. Two, people are fallible, the saying that 'if you want things done right you have to do it yourself' didn't come about from someone's employees always doing exactly what they were told in the best possible way.
And like I said, I genuinely appreciate your analysis of his position when it comes to his memories, my character will consistently try to look at things only rationally and logically, but will fail to realize that he is also an emotional being… Therefore flips his lid occasionally when he doesn't understand why he can't think a certain way.
Like when he logically builds a conclusion, makes a goal, strives towards it with all the information he has available. And then at the end of all that gets clothes lined by something unforeseeable… As you can imagine this would elicit an emotional reaction from even the most stoic of people.
As it turns out, I was unable to easily find ajacket to my liking. I ended up settling for green sweatshirt; logically speaking there was nothing wrong with it. It looked very clean and smelled just fine. However… It had no zipper meaning that it was a pullover. And because of this I was physically incapable of getting my Glock without looking like I was trying to undress.
I sighed lightly.
It really doesn't matter I guess, I can still reach the model 36 quickly. I checked my watch for the time… And then realized once again that I did not have one. So instead I checked my phone. 7:36. I was grateful for the extra time to clear my thoughts.
Note to self, acquire watch within immediate future. Preferably not from someone you know.
I walked silently already knowing the address of Shirley's home due to the fact that it was registered right next to her phone number on my contacts list. It was easy to navigate once I reached a major landmark, all I had to do was count the number of turns. This method I realized, might falter if I ran across a unregistered turn somewhere, or some sort of unofficial path. But luckily the addresses in the Tokyo settlement were numbered accordingly to the location.
The buildings closer to the center of the city had significantly smaller addresses. The further you got out, the longer your address became, the numbers went off in a clockwise fashion. The buildings on the very edge of the settlements towards the south had up to six digits and typically started with the number 5 or 6. The opposite was true for the buildings towards the edge of the North, they had about six digits and more than likely had 12, 11, or 1 to begin the sequence.
Interestingly enough, as I found out, for residential areas the last name of the head of household supplemented the end of the address. Therefore I assumed some places might have the same number address, but a different name tagged at the end of it.
This is all well and good if you avidly traveled and knew specific areas well. However I was not in that position, henceforth my number of turns memorization.
This is honestly the crap I think about when I have nothing better to do… I either need a hobby or need to get Tetris on my phone.
I thought this absentmindedly, counting another turn as I made it.
I will find out shortly if they found some magical bullshit way of finding my identity, but then again thinking of back to it now I should've worn gloves. Better yet, I should purchased individually an entirely new outfit…
It then occurred to me that I had no intention of ever using the cipher 01 mask at any point in time ever again. Sure, I acknowledged the fact that I probably had the media buzzing right now. And given the right circumstances I could have a lot of pull in the underground world if I continued on the current path. But to be honest I had no reason to do this, I gained nothing I wanted by becoming a revolutionary.
I didn't give a flying crap about how oppressive Britannia was, logically speaking it's Darwinism point of views were correct, simply because they made them to be as such. If Britannia was beaten back somehow they would be proven incorrect… And by extension correct once more. Power would always be wielded by the strong, otherwise you wouldn't be weak. Unless you chose not to use your power, in which case you might as well be weak.
It's not necessarily bad to be weak. I thought this with a shrug. It just serves no purpose not to strive for more power when you have none. Personally, I agree with the Elevens, in that they are being treated unfairly. They are being used for their resources and manual labor and then ostracized from society. However that's what happens when you lose a war and the enemy allows you to live.
I decided idle speculation without direct experience was a moot point. I only had secondhand information and I yet to see too many examples of violent or abusive discrimination.
I looked up surprised to see my destination before me.
No wonder I couldn't remember where I needed to turn… I'm here. I smiled lightly, wondering idly if I should've brought some sort of gift. I immediately discounted this as I walked up to knock. The house was a nice upper-middle-class construct, neatly tended garden in the front and a large wooden door at the front of the house.
My hand paused above the stained Oak material.
I'm nervous… I'm nervous? I observed and questioned.
"Calm down, just act natural… Okay better yet act like legitimate human being." I inhaled deeply and knocked on the door sharply four times. This elicited sharp and hollow raps throughout the wood, which I presumed echoed through the house. Not 15 seconds later a man answered the door.
The middle-aged, loosely combed, and brown headed man was honestly one of the last things I expected to see. I immediately realized though this was probably her father. I extended a smile and my hand.
"Hello there, my name is Lelouch Lamperouge… I'm here to pick up your daughter." I scratched the back of my head nervously. "I might be a little early so I hope that's okay." I had to give it to the man, he said nothing for at least 5 seconds. He simply stared at me, his face emotionless… As if he was scrutinizing me.
Somewhere on an internal level this irked me.
"My name is Joseph Fenette, nice to finally meet the boy my daughter's been talking so much about." He took my hand and shook it firmly. I made sure to return the favor and smiled wryly.
"I hope only good things?" I asked, trying to be friendly.
"For the most part." I lost face for brief moment that this.
For the most part huh? Must, resist, urge, to Geass him. On a side note I couldn't help but feel like I was getting too familiar with my Geass… But then again it was my most powerful weapon so familiarity was the least of my worries.
"Why don't you come on ins-" he was interrupted by his daughter shouting.
"Daddy! I told you not to mess with him." She appeared right behind him as she opened the door fully and entirely, revealing a very comfortable looking home. Joseph raised one hand defensively.
"I haven't, I promise." Shirley eyed her father with a look of suspicion. Then turned to me and changed her expression to one of happiness.
"You're ready to go?" I asked smoothly. She nodded once jumped out in front of her father. As she tried to pull me off by one arm I stopped briefly and looked up at Joseph. In the brief moment I made eye contact with him a torrent of information was exchanged. An almost telepathic male connection was made.
His side said 'touch her and I will murder your soul.'
My side said 'hahaha touchy- touchy-feely feely hahaha!'
I ignored my insane speculation and asked the question I have been wondering about.
"What time do you think I should have her back?" Something on his expression said 'right now.' But luckily for him he responded with.
"Have her back before midnight." I nodded and waved goodbye.
*Shirley's choice of restaurant somewhere in the city.*
The walk there had been very pleasant indeed; many a genuine conversation had been had. Towards the end of which she pointed out a nice restaurant we could eat at.
It wasn't a five-star restaurant or anything, however it seemed to be a nicely kept, small family restaurant. All the tables and chairs were made of darkly polished wood. And they had several booths in the back. As it turns out we had taken up refuge in the back booths towards the corner.
She had ordered a salad, as well as the salmon, with what appeared to be a side of lemon.
I of course went with the significantly more manly side of the menu and purchased a 16 ounce steak with a side of baked potato, and whatever the hell this vegetable thing was.
"So have you thought about what you want to go see?" I asked smoothly. She put the fork to her bottom lip for brief moment to think. She then shook her head no.
"To be honest, I forgot to look at what was out." I shrugged in response to this.
"It doesn't really matter; you can have a look when we get there." I pointed out.
"Why didn't you pick something?" this question caused me to smile. There were so many ways I could respond to this.
"Two reasons. One, because I want you to be more comfortable with the movie, therefore if you pick it you're more likely to enjoy it. Two, if I were to choose it for more than likely have far too many explosions in it to suit your tastes." She wrinkled her nose slightly with my comments.
"Geez, you act like I'm some sort of girly girl." She teased.
"Well if you're not." I angled my eyes sharply. "What sort of girl are you?" Shirley stumbled over her sentences for moment.
"That's not what I was getting at!" she pointed her fork at me face flushed. It was out right adorable.
Unexpectedly I burst out laughing. Unable to hold it in.
"Somebody's mind is in the gutter, I was just asking as to what your preferences were… And then you go jumping to conclusions." I looked up at her pursing my lips trying to look serious… And failing.
"That's not right to do that to people." She stated while turning back to her food like an upset child. I hummed lightly in satisfaction.
"You know Lulu," she broke with suddenly. "You've opened up a lot recently, what's up with that… I mean I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it's just, typically you are so withdrawn…" She trailed off seemingly trying to not insult me. Regardless I laughed lightly.
"My sister can see again, I'm in good health, and I am having dinner with a beautiful woman. So don't you think all of that and entitles me to embrace things a little bit more emphatically?" Shirley blushed once more.
We continued to eat and talk lightly until we were both finished, naturally I insisted that I pay for the whole meal. And after several moments of pestering I finally won out. Hunger sated, we made our way to the movie theater standing in front of a billboard that digitally displayed all the titles currently playing I told her to select one.
She ended up choosing some romantic comedy I've never heard of. I then quickly ran up and purchased our tickets, in fact I made it up to the counter with more than enough time to Geass the young Lady at the register in order to skimp on the price. I walked back to Shirley and handed her a ticket.
She looked back at me angrily and placed her hands on her hips, it was annoying how she could even be cute when she was angry. I stared for brief moment, and then sighed outwards.
"What?" I asked meekly, knowing perfectly well what was amiss.
"You can't go around paying for everything!" I raised an eyebrow.
"And why not? If you think about it I'm holding to both tradition, and self-satisfaction."
"That's not the point…" she paused to think. "Things aren't like that anymore." I reached out words and held her hand being sure to closer her fist over the ticket I had given her.
"Why won't you make is easy, and let me spoil you." She took pause to my statement, it was clear she acknowledged it. However that did not stop her from putting on her pouty face.
I smiled with an idea, I moved my hand from hers and wrapped it around her waist. I got in really close, close to the point for both or four heads were touching.
"All right then, what can I do to make you happier." The proximity of our bodies caused her to flush brightly, then again it was a very public display of affection considering the fact that we were in plain view of everyone in the lobby at the movie theater.
"L-let me pay for something…" I calculated the damage it would do to my pride to allow such a thing… I concluded it would be insignificant in the long run.
"Fine, you can pay for the popcorn." She was about to respond with something but I would have none of it. For before she could speak I leaned in quickly and pecked her on the lips. The kiss was quick, but not nearly as quick as me pulling her by the arm into the theater.
We made our way to… Theater 16 according to the ticket. Before that of course we stopped by the front counter and purchased some overpriced popcorn. I tried my damnedest not to squirm as she handed over the money for it.
Son of a bitch, that should be me paying for it…
It hurt on an internal level, however I held it in. The first thing I noticed when we were in the theater room was that it was significantly darker than the rest of the lobby. Which made sense of course, but I didn't like the feeling of apprehension I got while in the dark.
My paranoia aside, we managed to find decent seats in the furthest back in the right corner. There were quite a few people already sitting, luckily our position had no one sitting around us for lease six or seven seats in any which way direction.
The moment we sat down I had a revelation.
"Dammit! We forgot to get something to drink… Be right back." I stood abruptly and made my way down the stairs before a single complaint to be filed. Walking quickly I turned and made out it out the door, where I was immediately assaulted by the bright light. Squinting I made my way forward.
Just my luck, I spied a register that had no one in line for it. Just as I was nearly upon it Bump.
Someone or something knocked straight into my shoulder. I nearly lost my footing due to the force of the impact, however I managed to make a quick sidestep and land safely.
"Watch where you're going pencil neck." These six words were all I needed to confirm that this man was the scum of society.
"I was, in case you were too stupid to notice you bumped into me." The man who had bumped into me appeared to be in his early 20s, and be wearing clothes that were far too large for him including a red sweatshirt, oversized baggy jeans, and impossibly clean white sneakers.
It would have been comical, if he weren't actually trying to pull off the look.
"What was that?"
And now we're yelling… Seriously? I'm not going to fuck with this guy. Let's deal with this quickly and get my damn drink.
I flicked my Geass on.
"{Go do anything else very very far away.}" The command was very simple however could be taken many different ways, however the fact that I said 'very very far away' made sure whatever he was going to do, he would do it elsewhere,
Now that that's over…
Thankfully the purchasing process was uneventful as well as the return to my designated seat in the corner next to Shirley. I placed the oversized drink down in the cup holder between us. Shirley appeared to notice the two straws I had placed in it, but said nothing.
The previews provided nothing particularly interesting, and due to me being absent when they started I had to watch very little of them until the movie actually begin. Once it started it immediately made it clear that one of our stars was a washed up songwriter. And that he was having a hard time making ends meet due to how few people contracted him anymore.
But then began to introduce is cliché love interest, this was the part where I began to gag and lose interest.
I turned my attention to Shirley as well as the large box of popcorn she was holding. Reached over and took a small handful which caused her to look down briefly. Consuming the expanded kernels quickly, I proceeded to take a drink from the cup in the middle. I repeated this process every few minutes and began to let my mind wander.
I wonder what the Britannians will do in retaliation to today's event? Naturally they're going to want to have someone take the place of power here, ever since the loss of Prince Clovis they're down one Viceroy.
I had no idea who they might send, so I had to base all my assumptions upon a neutral opinion first.
Their best bet would be to clean up all of the corruption associated with their local governments, if any. And then proceed to wipe out all the resistance factions one by one starting with the smallest groups in order to dishearten the remainder of the resistance.
I then pulled the brake on that thought process.
I don't care… I want as little to do with them as possible. I took a quick glance at Shirley and found her observing the film casually, a small smile on her lips. Hmmm… what would be the best way to mess with her right now?
I smiled at my conclusion then began to implement my half-baked plan.
"Pst… Shirley, Wana make out?" it required a massive amount and restraint to not burst out laughing with her reaction. Her eyes widened while her jaw dropped and she struggled to say something.
"W-what… Wait, no. y-you can't kiss on the first date." She stumbled to state.
"We've already broken that rule you know. Besides, I said make out not kiss… Big difference." I pointed out. Had it not been so dark in the theater I'm sure I would've seen her blushing intensely
"You said you want to do things t-traditionally." I shrugged slightly at this.
"I like to have the best of both worlds." A very true statement, then again who didn't?
"You can't have it both ways…" Her arguments were growing weaker with each point.
"Watch me." I said as I leaned in and slid my hand around her shoulder. She didn't pull back, she didn't retreat, she just sat there motionless until our lips met.
To be continued soon next chapter…