Death: Well, this chapter isn't as long as the previous one. But, I feel satisfied about this one anyway. We get to see a little more of my favorite witch, and some family dramas are brewing and those situations are always interesting if a little too emotional.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Stage 06: Family Complications
=3=
"He, or actually they, is not telling the whole truth. There's more to activating the ruins and control them like this." C.C. commented from her seat in the Lamorak. She appeared to be talking to no one as she spoke.
"Hmm. Yes, I wonder about that, too. These ruins are so old, they shouldn't be able to create this much chaos. And with its location so close to the ocean, it must have a lot of weak points." The witch blinked.
"Or perhaps the contractor is more skilled than I initially thought. This makes him roughly around my age. It's rare to meet another ancient soul around here." She paused, as if waiting for a reply.
"Of course the immortal is a man. Have you gone deaf? That voice is clearly a man's." She frowned. "How is that important at all? If he's related to Lelouch, or Anghel, whoever he calls himself, then it shouldn't matter unless…"
Amber eyes widened as if she was slapped on the face. The realization hit her. How could she have forgotten about this particular individual? She practically grew up hearing about the horror of his cruelty!
She stood up so quickly Cheese-kun fell from her lap to the floor. She was too horrified at the prospect she knew the identity of this immortal that shared a contract with a young man that should have been hers to initiate a contract with to notice her beloved giant plushie was on the floor.
"I have to warn Suzaku about him. No matter what happens the Black Knights have to subdue him. He's too dangerous to allow any freedom so long as he is able to move. The boy must know who that man really is by now, why didn't he break off the contract?"
And with that the witch began to make her way towards the front of the Lamorak. Before she was even halfway towards the door from where she sat she quickly sprinted back to pick up Cheese-kun off the floor. After a brief moment of squeezing the yellow plushie she turned around and continued on towards her destination.
=3=
"Geass Crusaders, retreat! All remaining forces get away from these ruins as fast as possible. Retreat, I say! We will fight another day." Ambrose ordered, there was no sense in hiding the panic in his voice.
"Shouldn't we capture him now that we outnumber them three to one?" Zaniel inquired to the larger Lancelot model.
"Do not attempt. The Seraphim may not appear like it could be dangerous other than its size, but it can easily take a great number of you down. Ambrose has not yet used the full power of that knightmare, so for now leave them be." Strange, there was more of Lelouch's voice in that response.
"So what are we supposed to do now?" Zero questioned in a dark tone, clearly unhappy about the suggestion.
"Be sure the ground doesn't swallow the angel. We cannot see, feel, or touch. We can sense anyone within these ruins for roughly two miles all around. However, we cannot sense our own bodies." Now there was a different voice dominating the others.
"Zero! Locate the boy's contractor, and hurry! Find the man, he's as dangerous as Emperor Charles!" The familiar voice of C.C. was frantic as she opened up a private channel.
Before he could respond, the voices were speaking again. Whenever they spoke he was entranced with their words. It was like they were speaking another language, and yet he could understand the words perfectly somehow.
"The insects have been cleared out. Offense transform into Defense. Defense remain active, repel anyone besides the Black Knights step foot here. Now everything must sleep. Sleep…sleep…"
The red glowing earth darkened as the ruins did as it was told. The sigil retracted all of the translucent light that was spread out before it disappeared into the ground. The prototype knightmare stood where it was, slumped over as its eyes went out and the frame shut down.
"Everyone, search the entire area for an immortal." Zero ordered. "I do not know what he looks like, but since there is evidence he an ancestor from Mrs. Thornberg's side of the family, he might be of similar appearance. Kallen, Zaniel, help me get inside that prototype to retrieve the young Thornberg. Lord Asplund,"
"I know what you're going to ask, so there's no need to say it. I'll move the Lamorak to hover above that prototype and retrieve it once you've cleared its deviser." Lloyd cut him off over the radio. He seemed oddly cheerful despite the battle that had just happened.
Without another word Suzaku landed the Azeran about ten feet away from the wolf like knightmare, grateful that most of the trees around here had fallen to give him room. The moment he climbed out both the Guren Mk IV and the Lancelot landed. They made their way to stand on either side of the prototype.
"Hey, are you awake in there?" Zaniel sounded irritated as he called out to the pilot inside the prototype. The young man was not quite happy about being a part of helping the boy who was the reincarnation of his father.
When there was no response the Guren Mk IV half turned to Zero, who now stood behind the prototype looking up.
"What do you have in mind? This thing is made of titanium, not like ours. It's going to take forever to burn a hole through the cockpit." Kallen remarked as she examined it. "Plus I think it's thicker than the Lancelot's."
"Zaniel, you keep that thing steady while your mother uses the Guren's claws to pierce its shell. Oh, and Kallen? Do be sure not to slice the boy inside. Otherwise I'll make sure you'll be the one to answer Earl Thornberg."
"I'll use thermal scans to make sure I won't." Kallen knew he would make good on that threat.
"Wait… I am awake…just…give me a minute." The voice was weak and muffled, as if the pilot was exhausted beyond what his body could take. It didn't help that the machine was currently shut down, so they could barely understand a word he said.
A moment later the cockpit opened, and the boy was leaning against one of the walls of the shell. His arms shook as if he was cold, but he had enough clothing to keep him warm. But even from down on the ground Zero could see those eyes so heavily dilated they nearly dominated the dark blue violet color.
"What in the world did they do to you…?" Zero hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"I don't think I can safely get down without breaking my neck." The boy took a step back, as if he were afraid he would fall. He hadn't replied to the masked man's inquiry because he was too far up to hear his voice.
"What if I help you? I can lower you down." Kallen offered the hand that was not a giant claw. She moved it close enough for the boy to simply walk onto it.
The boy hesitated, but very cautiously he stepped onto the left hand of the Guren Mk IV. Slowly and gently Kallen lowered the boy to the ground. And even as she was going as slow as possible he nearly lost his balance a couple of times. The Guren had to kneel as its hand met ground, Kallen had an inkling feeling that if she didn't then the boy would fall when stepping off.
As a precaution Zero offered a hand, and once again the boy hesitated, too preoccupied with the sight of the familiar mask. The entity that was Zero he had created. It felt strange that Zero stood before him, when he should have been wearing the mask. It didn't help that he knew who was underneath that mask, someone who affected him so deeply he didn't know how to act around him.
"You called for my help, and so here I am. What's stopping you now?" Zero gently inquired, remembering to speak a little louder than he used to.
"I'm still recovering from the shock of remembering that life. Forgive me if I have the sudden notion to rip that mask off of your face and wear it for myself." The boy replied, again he was half a minute late to respond.
Without another word the boy accepted the offered hand. But as he made to get off the Guren's hand he slipped. In a flash Zero wrapped his free hand around the thin waist and pulled him away from the red knightmare before settling the boy down on his feet. The sudden movement made him dizzy, of which the boy had no choice but to lean against the masked figure.
"Hmph. Is it just me or did I shrink since the last time we met…? I barely reach your chest."
"Again, I ask what did they do to you? You're completely out of it." Zero couldn't hide the concern even through the simulator.
"Refrain…they gave me Refrain…to remember…" The boy mumbled, close to falling asleep.
"Damn it." Three voices cursed all at once. Kallen knew of the effects Refrain could do, her mother had been a victim of it. Suzaku cursed at Ambrose for doing such a lowly move. Meanwhile Zaniel felt a little sorry for the boy, just a little.
"Hey, try and stay awake just a little longer. Do you know where your contractor is?" Zero gently roused the smaller body in his arms.
At that the boy went into a giggling fit. "I know what you do to stray immortals…there's no chance of you getting a sworn oath from him. If he had any sense…he'd be long gone by now."
"Doesn't he care at all about you?" The immortal had just proven it a few moments ago.
But his words didn't reach the boy, he had promptly fallen asleep. The boy's arms were still shivering, and he felt strangely warm, too warm. Zero gently lowered the boy to the ground as a hand covered the forehead. He found the hair wet from perspiration, and judging by the temperature the boy had a slight fever. Zero unclasped the cape and wrapped it around the shivering mess. The boy appeared so fragile, so frail, with the way his pale skin had a sickly tone to it. How small the boy was compared to him, and eyebrows knit together in obvious pain even though he was asleep.
"Shall we inform the Thornbergs we have him?" Kallen questioned.
Zero gently picked the small boy up bridal style. Strange how the boy felt so light, he was beginning to suspect he's had little to eat the past several days.
"No, we won't inform them. We'll remain here to search through that base for anything we can use to locate the Geass Crusaders."
"But wouldn't that mean we're hiding him?" The Guren pilot was furious now. To not contact the boy's family, it would tear them apart if they didn't know what has become of their boy since the world knows the Black Knights had made their move. It wasn't like they could hide the Lamorak as it made its way over here.
"Do you honestly think that he's in a stable mind to talk to them? They will surely want to speak to him the moment we tell them he is safe. And if I refuse there will be public outcry. Even if I were to tell them he is recovering from what Ambrose did to him, there is still the chance his mother will blow things out of proportion." Zero had a point.
Above them the Lamorak moved into position. The belly of it opened up as it readied to lift the prototype. Immediately the Guren Mk IV cleared the way while the Lancelot remained to help with the cables and make sure they were stable.
Zero watched the ordeal, feeling a little hopeful. When all the data of research that went into this prototype, there was a very small chance for the Geass Crusaders to successfully create another one like it. He could see why Lelouch wanted this knightmare simply by appearance. The fact it can become invisible and harness the power of Geass, those were an added bonus.
Even so, it was a powerful weapon. And at the moment he wasn't quite sure if he could trust it at the hands of the reawakened Lelouch.
The boy shifted in his arms. Zero glanced down to see that the boy had nuzzled closer to him, as if he sought someone familiar, someone who could protect him as he slept. His heart ached at the sight. He didn't feel like he deserved such trust. And yet he couldn't help but feel hopeful. He couldn't stop the emotions that swirled within him. Secretly he hoped he had been given another chance to melt the ice that surrounded the boy's heart.
He told himself he wouldn't get his hopes up. But he couldn't help it now that he's seen the boy in person, holding the fragile body in his arms. It wasn't his fault that the boy sought to bury his head against his chest as he slept. Such a small and lithe body Lelouch had been reincarnated into.
Then he shook those thoughts away. Really, Zero was beginning to feel like an old man the way he was eyeing the boy like candy. Then he reminded himself he was an old man. He was nearing his forties, an age where most men went into mid life crisis and women begin to ignore him.
After all, why would a mere boy of seventeen have anything to do with a man more than twice his age?
=3=
He awoke with a scream. The nightmare was still fresh in his head as he sat up, hands gripping his hair. He didn't notice the tears streaming down his face. He was too preoccupied with the fact he had to face the nightmares after four short years of peace. Why couldn't the nightmares go away? He had thought that with the merge he wouldn't have to deal with them again.
Clearly, he was wrong. And out of reflex he reached out for a body that wasn't there.
"Rad…?" Dark blue violet eyes opened to see no one was beside him. That's right, the immortal was either on the run or was caught by the Black Knights. He didn't know which it would be, for he fell asleep while in the middle of a conversation with Zero.
It took a moment for him to realize he did not recognize this room. Everything about it was expensive yet simple. His bed was a queen's size with polished wood. Across from the bed was a dresser made of matching wood. To his right was a window. It was dark outside, but he could see the familiar coast line just outside of the base he had been trapped in.
To his left there was a closet door, a rather huge closet he might add. And still to his left was another door right next to the bed, he assumed the bedroom was joined with a bathroom. His skin felt sticky from sweat, and his hair was a mess. He felt like he hadn't showered in days, which was actually true.
So even though it would wake him up he made his way towards the bathroom. He didn't bother turning on the light, his eyes were still sensitive. Not to mention he had to get used to being blind. It was likely Zero would have him wear either a blindfold or an eye patch to cover the eye that held the power. The eye that held Geass just so happened to be the on the same side where he was deaf.
He rather not liked the idea of being blind and deaf on one side, though it helps that it wasn't his left. Even though as Anghel, he was dominantly left handed, yet as Lelouch he was the opposite. Strangely he felt like the left was his dominant side, perhaps it had something to do with the fact this body was built that way.
With ease he took off the night shirt and pants. Strange, he wasn't wearing these the last time he was awake. He hoped that whoever changed his clothes was not some pervert. Once he was clear of all clothing, he blindly made his way to the shower and turned it on. His hand reached for the knob to turn it towards hot.
The water turned on, but it was cold so he waited until he saw steam blur the glass surrounding the shower. Carefully he stepped in and closed the door. If there were cameras as he suspected, he was still a little self conscious about his body. And yet he had stood naked as he waited for the water to warm up. Even so it was dark, so hopefully the cameras didn't have night vision.
His head began to ache at how confused he was. He couldn't decide which he was more, Anghel or Lelouch.
The hot water spraying onto his face provided him a distraction. He leaned forward so the water wouldn't bother his eyes, shoulders slumped. He released a sigh as the hot water began to work on his aching muscles on his shoulders and back. His head was clear now, he felt so content he almost fell asleep. He leaned too far forward and he lifted a hand against the wall to stop himself just in time.
He chuckled when he realized it was his left hand that had moved out of reflex. Even though he felt more as Lelouch in mind, Anghel still held an influence of his body. It was an interesting mix. Though it didn't help matters in figuring out who he truly was when it concerned an identity. Though this just proved that he was going to be indeed, left handed.
Feeling another headache coming along, he once again concentrated on the water that was almost scalding hot continued to relieve the aches and pains throughout his body. He imagined another set of hands were present, massaging his back with a gentle touch. His body shuddered as he imagined the calloused hands, aged from time but still held their youth work their way down his back.
His breath hitched at the images going through his head. He couldn't stop them, and now he had the problems of being in a seventeen year old body with hormones. He was semi hard now, as he imagined a taller body leaning against his, hot breath ghosting against his neck. He imagined the other's face just as aroused, brown hair dampened and green eyes at half mast.
At that image he reached for the knob and quickly turned it to ice cold. If he was to have such fantasies, then he wanted them to be as accurate as possible. At the current moment he didn't know if Suzaku had aged at all or if his dream had been true or not. He yelped at how quickly the temperature of the water changed. He shivered as he took a tentative step back, careful not to slip. At least the shock cured him of his erection.
He didn't want to turn the water back to hot. He was too worried his mind would start to wander again. And even though he wanted to properly wash his hair the water was too cold for him to stand it. So he reached for the knob once again and turned the shower head off. He opened the door and stepped out, grateful there was a soft rug just outside.
He grabbed two towels, one he slung over an arm while he used the other to wipe down his body. When he was done he wrapped it around his waist, noticing with a frown that his ribs were beginning to show. With the other towel he worked on his hair. When he was satisfied it was dry enough he threw the towel over the top of the shower glass so it could dry.
The clothes he discarded earlier were on the floor. He didn't feel like reusing them, he was too much of a clean freak. So he picked them up and searched for a dirty laundry basket. He found it located just to the side of the dresser. He dropped them in and began to search through the drawers for another set of clean pajamas.
Much to his surprise everything in the dresser was a size or two too big. None of the pants would fit around his waist. The way he slept they would surely come off as he kicked and squirmed. So he opted to do what C.C. always did. He grabbed a shirt that was two sizes too big and put it on. It hung loosely on his shoulders, and he had to roll up the sleeves to practically his elbows. The bottom half of the shirt reached just halfway down his thighs, so he at least was covered there.
However to his discomfort none of the underwear present would even fit him. Each one he tried on fell to the floor. He was much too thin and a tiny waist and hip structure did not help. When he had most of the boxers scattered across the floor he gave up. He didn't bother cleaning them up when they had failed to fit him.
He carelessly threw himself onto the bed on his stomach, face against the pillow. He didn't care enough to crawl under the covers. Just as he was dozing he once again reached out for another body that wasn't there. Even so his hand continued in its search. His fingers touched the second pillow and he pulled it closer to his body. In his dazed state he pretended the pillow was another body with arms wrapped around him protectively, keeping away the monsters within his dreams.
It was enough to put his mind at ease and fall asleep once more.
=3=
"It would seem he has nightmares on a daily basis. And he's used to another body close to him to drive them off. One has to wonder if he and his contractor have done more than simple cuddling." The witch commented with a smile. She had the perfect view from her seat overlooking Suzaku's shoulder.
"Shut up, witch." He responded harshly, but didn't bother turning around in his chair to glare at her.
Suzaku no longer adorned the Zero outfit but the traditional Japanese clothing. He hadn't meant to watch the boy in his sleep like some crazed stalker, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to make sure the boy was recovering well from the withdrawals. It didn't help matters he decided it was a good idea to allow the witch inside his room after locking her out the past few days.
He was most curious as to what happened that caused the boy to change the water temperature. The only thing he could think of was that the boy was ridding himself of an erection. It was too dark in the bathroom to really tell through the blurred glass of the shower. And the moment the boy had stepped out of the shower he didn't put the pajamas back on as he knew he would.
It was good to see at least some things he could recognize about the boy. He had noted that the boy was left handed with the way he reached out with it as he blindly made his way around. It was something he hadn't expected, but after looking through Anghel's files he had somehow missed that part the first time through. This could all be explained biologically, however, and even if the boy had the memory of being right handed it just wouldn't work out well in this body.
He almost laughed at the troublesome expense of the boy as he searched for boxers that would fit him. Of course the ones he had thrown into the dirty laundry basket were clean, but he was much too proud to reach for them. Suzaku couldn't hold back a smile when the boy left the offending boxers on the floor. Yes, that was definitely something Lelouch would do.
His smile disappeared when a few minutes of laying on the bed a hand began to search for a fellow companion. When that hand grasped the extra pillow the boy pulled it closer to his body, as if it were the immortal in the flesh and cuddled right up to it. Suzaku had to admit that was rather cute. Back in the day he could never convince Lelouch to cuddle. Perhaps there was more influence from Anghel than he had originally thought.
Though he couldn't help but feel a little sore that the boy was pretending that pillow was his contractor and not him. C.C. quickly picked up on his emotions.
"My, my, are you jealous of that pillow, Suzaku?" She prompted him with a giggle, squeezing Cheese-kun a little tighter.
This time he did glare at her. He didn't respond verbally as he usually would, though. He was exhausted from the battle that had taken place several hours before. The exhaustion was beginning to show.
"You know, I don't think he would mind if you were the one to take his contractor's place. It would sure be a lot better than that pillow there." She suggested casually, though there was still a hint of mischief in her voice.
"If you're so interested, then why don't you do it?" Suzaku narrowed his eyes.
"As much as I would like to, I can't. He still has a contract with the other immortal, which you failed to capture by the way. And since their contract is still valid I can't be as intimate as I used to be around him. Oh, and before I forget, they lied about one little detail about controlling the ruins. In order for an immortal and mortal with a contract and strong relationship, they have to be related."
"And you just remembered this now?" His glare took a dangerous tint to them.
C.C. shrugged. "You were too busy doing Zero stuff."
"I swear, witch, one day you're going to try my patience. I have no idea how Lelouch can stand you." Suzaku pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, we were just convenient partners in crime. We were simply a means to each other's end. But then he had to have the bright idea of dying to put the world back in order."
"Don't pretend you didn't have any feelings with him, witch." He countered.
"And what gives you that impression, boy?" She narrowed her eyes, and for the first time there was a hint of emotion in her voice.
Though she would rarely call him a boy, the few times often sent him over the edge on his temper. But this time he was calm. He wasn't distracted as she hoped he would be.
"The way you remain by my side simply because I wear the mask. Zero gives you familiarity, and therefore you could pretend that I am Lelouch behind that mask and not Suzaku Kururugi, who should also be dead.."
C.C. tightened her hold on Cheese-kun. She hadn't expected him to so easily read her. Clearly she miscalculated on how well a dense and thick headed person like him could observe another being.
"So I have to wonder, what are you going to do about him? Since you can't be as intimate as before, does that mean you can't be friends?"
"No, I can always be a casual shadow. A familiar face he could trust among a pack of wolves. As much as I would like to give him a lecture in dying, I won't." She was smiling again. "So for the time being, he's all yours."
That last sentence seemed to have affected him, for she could hear him swallow the lump in his throat. She smiled a devious smile once more. He was tempted, she could tell with the way he looked back to the screen with a longing expression on his face. To her disappointment he didn't stand up and made his way to the door, but instead turned the computer off and headed to the bed.
'Oh, well.' She thought with indifference. 'It wouldn't take them very long until they're sharing the same bed.'
For now she will sit back and enjoy the show. Watching these two was always a favorite pastime of hers, after all.
=3=
He awoke to a bright morning and his face being smothered by a pillow he was currently snuggling up against. With a groan he pushed the soft object away and sat up, wiping the sleepiness from his eyes as they adjusted to the bright light. He yawned and stretched his arms as he scooted to the edge of the bed closest to the closet.
He opened it up to see an array of clothing taking up the entire space. He began to search through the pants for any that were in his size. He found one that was one size too big, but luckily there was a hanger full of belts hanging off of it. He grabbed whichever one was on top and pulled the pants out and felt the fabric in between his fingers.
These were not jeans but standard issue Black Knights uniform, which meant they were soft and easy for his skin since he couldn't find any boxers to fit. He laid the pants down on the bed with the belt next to it and began to search through the shirts. He had just picked out a white cotton buttoned up shirt when the door opened. He turned and activated his Geass, about to order the person to leave when he stopped.
Geass would be useless when it was the witch who stood before him. She didn't seem to mind at all that he was practically naked despite the oversized shirt covering him. She used to do the same thing with his clothes. Though now they could probably share clothes, since he was roughly closer to her height than he used to. Silently he hoped she wouldn't take advantage of his change of height.
"Ah, it appears I have good timing. Once you're done making yourself presentable, I am to give you a tour around the Lamorak. Oh, and Zero has requested I give this to you." She held up an eye patch. "And don't think about putting it over the wrong eye, I know now which one holds your power."
At that he couldn't hide a smile. "Why, you don't trust me not to make mischief? I would rather hate walking around being blind and deaf on one side."
"There are cameras in here. Zero could easily look through them and confirm whether or not the eye patch is over the correct eye." She pointed out. "Oh, and too bad you didn't continue your little fantasy last night. It would have been hilarious to watch Suzaku squirm. He would have probably had a bloody nose, too."
The boy sputtered as his face burned crimson, avoiding her gaze. It would seem he had forgotten that nothing was private when it came down to the witch. He was too spoiled with Radimir leaving him be, it would seem. And Suzaku had been watching? Somehow that seemed to excite him more than embarrass him. Quickly he stopped that train of thought and reached for the eye patch.
"I don't suppose I could convince you to wait outside." He really didn't want her eyeing him as he changed, though she probably saw everything anyway the previous night.
"No, you can't. Knowing you, you would probably try and escape through that window." C.C. smiled mischievously.
And suddenly the young man wished he had Radimir back so he wouldn't have to deal with the witch. Despite his discomfort he began to change anyway. When his shirt was neatly tucked into the pants he slid the belt though the loopholes and tightened it just enough so the hem of the pants comfortably fit him. Then he reached for the eye patch that was on the bed and began to put it over his right eye with a frown.
"Oh, don't look so unhappy. Maybe with this you could win some sympathy from the Black Knights. It would do you some good to win their hearts. There is one in particular that you need to be careful around, Zaniel vi Britannia." C.C. scolded, rolling her eyes. "That boy loathes Lelouch vi Britannia, and last night proved that you are indeed the reincarnation of his father."
At that the young man blinked his one remaining eye as realization struck. He had no trouble guessing who the mother would be. "Wait…so that one night with Kallen…"
"Resulted with a child, yes. And he hates you not just because you were the Demon Emperor, but because you left nothing for his mother in your will."
"But I didn't know she was pregnant! How was I supposed to know that one night stand would result with a baby? Why didn't she tell me?" His voice reached a higher pitch at how stupid he had been.
"You will have to ask her. Hopefully the two of you can work together on clearing things up with Zaniel, or else you're going to have a hard time if you're going to fight alongside the Black Knights. That boy has your brain and her temper."
She almost laughed at his response that was a half whine half groan. The boy made to bolt into the bathroom and lock himself in but she was too quick. She grabbed his wrist and held on tightly, her grip was stronger than he had known her to be. He knew she was stronger than him, but he continued to struggle for the sake of his well being.
"Now, now, the Lelouch I know wouldn't run and hide like a child. He would be a man and suck it. He would face his mistakes head on."
"How else am I supposed to react? Am I supposed to say, 'Oh, great! I have a son! Let's all be one happy family!' Oh and let's not forget that I'm seventeen while he's what? Twenty four? Twenty five? This is so damn confusing…" Even though he was in a panic there was still a blush creeping up his cheeks at her intentional sexual innuendo.
"Actually, her heart belongs to Gino. And I don't think Zaniel is looking for a father to correct his mistakes. He just wants you to remain dead." She laughed as she dragged him towards the door.
"That's doesn't help me at all!"He protested. His voice was loud enough for the people just down the hall to pause and look their way as the witch pulled him out of his own room.
As soon as he realized he was being watched the boy ceased in his struggling. He reluctantly allowed the witch to guide him with her arm wrapped around his right forearm as she made sure he wouldn't run into anything. As they walked her smile widened as he mumbled on about how the world seemed to be against him these days. Oh, how she missed having her favorite person around. He was always so fun to mess with.
At some point in the tour she had to switch sides, having forgotten that he was deaf in that ear. The witch had easily become tired of shouting as a means to communicate with him as she showed him around. She didn't show him everything about the Lamorak, as it would take days to even try. Instead she took him to the cafeteria for some breakfast.
He was so nervous he could only nibble on his toast when he had a plate full of eggs and bacon. When she had enough of him looking around as if he was about to be jumped she grabbed two fresh pieces of toast and with a fork put the egg in between. She wrapped the bottom half of the egg sandwich with a paper towel and promptly handed it to him.
Silently they agreed to continue the tour as he ate his compromised breakfast. Though he wished there was a touch of mayonnaise and mustard, and perhaps a little bit of tomato and basil leaves, he was grateful enough that he didn't care. The toast was crunchy enough and the eggs kept the bread warm as he continued to eat. It felt like it's been ages since he's had his favorite breakfast.
Yet there was another thing that was a part of Anghel showing through. Perhaps he truly was a proper mix of the two identities. The one drawback was that at the current moment he didn't know if he should call himself Lelouch or Anghel.
To distract himself from yet another coming headache, he continued to eat while he listened to the witch. She had shown him around to the game room, where a lot of the people already in there waved at him as if they were greeting an old friend. He tentatively waved back, still feeling the knot of nervousness in his stomach. The people in here seemed not to mind him at all, at least.
She even showed him which conference room Zero used the most during meetings. They didn't go inside, for he was too stubborn for her to convince him to just stroll in since Zero was currently using that room in a meeting. And so instead she led him to the one place where she knew he would be the most comfortable to hang out in. By now it was mid morning and he was awake enough to hold up a conversation without having food in his mouth.
The Lamorak was so big there was a huge library built in. And to his luck it was close enough to the cafeteria he wouldn't have to go very far if he ever needed food. The moment they walked inside he stood at the door, staring in awe at the large collection of books that have already filled up most of the shelves along the walls and endless isles of bookshelves on the floor.
She explained that it was categorized and for the most part alphabetized by author, though there would be some places where books were mixed up. When she realized he wasn't paying attention she let go of his arm. She watched him as he began to explore the endless maze of books with a soft smile. She knew he was going to remain here and not wander off in the Lamorak, so she turned and left for the conference room.
He wandered around aimlessly, not bothering to search for a specific book. He had missed the library in the Thornberg Manor. He relished in the simple act of allowing his hands to feel the spines of books that were young or had seen far better days but were still well preserved and cared for. What he missed most of all was the smell of books. He inhaled, and he could smell old paper mixed in with the younger. The scent had yet to take a permanent effect in this large library, so it wasn't as strong compared to the one back home.
Yet another aspect that was Anghel. Memories of being the boy resurfaced, and this time he did not fight it. He remembered he had always been eager for his birthday and Christmas, waiting to open up the presents his uncle Paul had sent. That kind old man always indulged him with books, ones that he cherished more than the others that had already been collected in his father's library.
He paused as he was walking down the history isle. He had just used the term father, not a word Lelouch would openly use unless he was spitting the very man who used him and Nunnally as bargaining tools. And yet, even if he was more inclined to agree and act like Lelouch, he still felt a strong connection with the Thornberg family. He even called the main house as his home. Home. That was a word Lelouch did not use lightly.
'Even though I am both, and will most likely take the name Lelouch, I still consider them my family. But…will they accept me for who I am now, or will they turn against me, knowing that what they have feared for so long has come true?'
His arms began to shake of their own accord. The withdrawals were hitting him at full force. And he didn't know what happened with the pills Ambrose had given him. He leaned a shoulder against a shelf while his breathing took a panicked pace. He was hyperventilating, a reaction he couldn't control. Pupils dilated, and he had to cover his mouth to stop himself from allowing his breakfast to come out the wrong end.
There was a hand on his back, gently rubbing up and down. The other person spoke, but he didn't speak loud enough for him to properly hear. Although he did not like to be touched unless he initiated contact he found the gesture comforting. After a few minutes he was completely calm as one could when going through Refrain withdrawals. His arms were still shaking but they were not as bad.
He glanced over his shoulder, about to say his thanks but his heart nearly stopped at the sight of red hair and pale violet eyes.
=3=
Cassandra Skye had just arrived at the Thornberg Manor. She had expected it to be in utter chaos, but she did not think members of the Black Knights within the grounds as they took their jobs seriously. A part of her was glad to see them doing everything humanly possible to protect Anghel's immediate family. Though in her opinion his kidnapping should not have happened in the first place.
She stepped out of the car without waiting for her chauffer. Cassandra was the kind of girl who liked doing things for herself. Although she was the only daughter of her Duke father, she had a rebellious streak to go against the proper ways of nobility. And while most fathers would try to correct their stubborn daughters, he actually encouraged her behavior.
And even though Cassandra wanted to wear her usual outfits of a simple blouse and short shorts, she decided that for once it would be nice to wear a casual dress. It was yellow with lace at the bottom and around the short sleeves that reach down to her elbows. A matching hat covered her head with white flowers and decorations, a ribbon tying it under her chin.
While she was all pretty, she didn't do anything with her hair. Her curls were too stubborn for her to do much of anything anyway. Most of the time Cassandra liked to have her hair pinned up all nice and out of the way, but leaving her curly hair down made her feel more like herself. She felt like she was rebelling against the image of a perfect daughter of nobility by doing nothing with her hair.
"You know you'll be welcome inside in the parlor, Thomas. So you don't have to stay out here and keep the engine running." She turned to smile at her chauffer before making her way towards the front door.
The man in the uniform that stood in the front door intimidated her. But she hid her fears with a smile. He didn't intercept as she rang the doorbell. In seconds the main butler, John she remembered, answered. Although he was as clean and fresh in appearance there was dark circles under his eyes she was not accustomed to seeing on his aging handsome face.
"Ah, Miss Skye, almost didn't recognize you in that dress. But you do look stunning in it, perfect for this weather. Do please come in. I believe your presence here will do some good." He opened the door wider for her.
Dark green eyes blinked. "How well is the family taking to the situation?"
"Not good, Miss Skye, and as the days go by Mrs. Thornberg has become more erratic." John politely bowed as she walked past.
"I can imagine. Where are they? You don't have to show me around, you know. I practically grew up half the time in this house." She laughed a little, but what she said was true. She was a childhood friend of Arabella, and it was through her she met Anghel.
"I believe they are having lunch in the music room."
"Thank you, John." She waved at him and made her way towards her new destination.
At first she pitied him as she watched him go through his horrible nightmares. Sometimes Cassandra wrapped her arms around him and sang a soft lullaby her mother always sang to her when she was sick. Around the time she met Anghel she was going through with the loss of her mother, so when she sang to him Cassandra found that she was the one crying.
Despite those few times they met as children, she had somehow made an impression in him. When she turned fifteen and he was thirteen, he actually acknowledged her with a gentle smile and told her he liked her hair better when it was longer. And even though she liked her hair short, Cassandra let it grow out. Since then they played the game of courting, though it felt like she was the one making all of the moves when it should be the boy.
Naturally she enjoyed this more than when the other sons of nobles courting her with flowers, love poems and a ticket to a classical music concert that were sold out almost immediately. With those hopeless boys she felt like an object they sought just because of her family status. Although the Skye family is young in the world of nobility, younger than the Thornbergs for example, there was no doubt they held a lot of power and influence. Cassandra was the only daughter of Duke Edmond Skye, and he was not going to remarry like most other nobles would.
When widows or other dukes or earls grew tired of offering their daughters to her father, they turned on Cassandra the moment she turned fourteen. It was a tiresome play that quickly grew old. But when it concerned Anghel, she didn't experience any of that. Instead she was the one initiating the courting. She was the one choosing someone she could see herself marrying. She knew him well enough he thought the same. Since he was the youngest child it was not expected of him to marry for love. His brother Ethan has already chosen to marry for the name of love, and Arabella had her eyes on someone that could benefit the family and yet she was beginning to love him, so she was able to settle with the same as her dear brother.
So his older siblings had the choices that anyone should have. But because of that it was required for Anghel to marry a political joining. So why not marry someone he knew since he was eight? Someone he could trust, someone he knew would not have high expectations of him, someone who will be willing to give him his space. Cassandra might be lowering her family's standards for marrying the youngest of Earl Vincent Thornberg, but marrying into the Thornberg family would be a success in of itself.
No, she was not courting him for political reasons. Cassandra knew how to play the game of politics, her father made sure of that. She cared for and loved him as if he was the younger brother she never had. But if she was to offer her hand in marriage, then there should at least be some benefits so her father wouldn't worry over her when he should be resting.
But it would all be under her terms. She has made it clear that she would be the one choosing whom she would marry. Her father would worry over her, but he trusted her to choose well.
She entered the music room to find the antique 1940s record player was still alive and well taken care of. She recognized the current piece from Johann Sebastian Bach, Double Violin Concerto in D minor, second movement if her memory served her right. She didn't personally like this piece, but perhaps its cheerful tunes would help settle Mrs. Thornberg's nerves.
The first person to notice her was Arabella, who smiled and made her way over.
"Cassy! I'm so glad you came here when I called. How's your father's business? Is he treating himself well enough?" Of course the sweet girl who could be her sister in all but blood and name worried more for other people than for herself.
"Don't worry, I make sure he goes to bed when he's supposed to." Cassandra laughed as she undid the ribbon to take off her hat. "But you shouldn't worry about him. How are you holding up?"
"Worried, of course. It's my brother those silly crusaders have. And mother has been getting worse as another day passes without word." Arabella whispered the last bit so the woman in question wouldn't overhear.
Cassandra discreetly glanced over at the tall woman she had admired for so long. Katalina Thornberg was a powerful figure with how tall she was compared to most other women. She looked great for having three children and being in her mid forties. She was all curves with wide hips and a heavy set bosom that was still perfectly round when other women around her age would have to wear push up bras. Her black hair was as curly and as dark as she remembered. Her olive skin has paled over the years, probably due to living the life of a noble when she grew up tending to a farm.
She was used to seeing the beautiful woman all quirky and smiles, ready for the day. Now she was sitting in a chair, head leaning on the palm of her hand. Cassandra has never seen this strong willed woman so defeated. Beside her sat her faithful husband. Part of Cassandra was jealous of her friends for having such loving parents. She would have had the same if her mother didn't die so young.
On a table by himself was Ethan, twirling the engagement ring around his finger. She could tell he wanted to help his mother, but he probably had said everything one could and ran out of things to say. Ethan greeted her with a casual smile but then continued on twirling the ring.
"But the Black Knights have made their move, right? It's all over the news. They should have contacted you guys by now." Cassandra frowned, turning her attention back to her friend.
"That's what's got mother worried. They're still in the base in Norway but haven't called us. We've been asking the guys protecting us but they won't tell us anything." Arabella sighed.
"Well, they should at least answer to your father. Without his support they'll lose the EU."
"Cassandra, I would appreciate it if there's no talk of politics right now." The young girl had never heard Mrs. Thornberg's voice so cracked.
"I apologize, ma'am. I can't help it on how rude the Black Knights are treating you guys." Cassandra removed her gloves and set them inside her hat.
"It hasn't even been twenty four hours since they made their move, yet. Maybe they're doing procedures to keep him safe." Vincent offered, though even he seemed like he believed his own words.
'He's having doubts in supporting the Black Knights.' Cassandra didn't know where she came to that conclusion, but it was clear both adults were thinking the same thing. Although she was frustrated with the Black Knights, she wouldn't fully blame them just yet.
"For what it's worth, I think you were brave to give them their full support. At least they put aside whatever they do in victory of ending a war to find Anghel, right? If anyone can find Anghel it will be Zero. I just wish he would be a little more considerate of your feelings."
"Thank you, Cassandra." Vincent attempted to smile, but there was still too much concern and sadness showing through.
"When are they going to call? I want to hear my boy's voice. I want to know that he's safe." Katalina sounded as if she was about to cry, but the tears never came. She ran out of tears to cry with.
Cassandra lowered her gaze to the floor, feeling horrible she couldn't cheer these wonderful people up as she hoped.
'Oh, Anghel, if you're safe then do your family a favor and call them. Steal a phone if you have to. They're tearing themselves apart. They just need to hear your voice.'
=3=
Death: I am satisfied now that I have introduced Cassandra. Been itching for her to show up since she was mentioned in Stage 01. I told you that chapter held a lot of information that will be used later. Though I should warn you, there is more to her than meets the eye. The reason why I've been speeding through updating is partially because I wanted to get started on her character.
As I was writing this, I couldn't help but feel a little freaked out about Anghel/Lelouch having the Geass power in his right eye. Because I have drawn Anghel, and I changed his hair style just a tad bit, had to put in a little more blue in his eyes, and then I started seeing him as the love child of Lelouch and Ciel from Kuroshitsuji. And now he's walking around with an eyepatch, that's not helping me disapprove the appearance at all. And unfortunately their similarities don't end there. So, I apologize for those who are Black Butler fans about this. It was not my intention of Anghel coming off too similar to Ciel.
And yes, I decided to indulge on the bit of Lelouch/C.C. pairing, if just a little. Even I can't deny they have a special something going on. At least her interactions with Lelouch are hilarious to watch.
So, without further ado, please leave a review~