Chapter Twenty Two: Not In Kansas Anymore
Arc Six: Definitions Of Freedom
Opening: "Wave" - Lily
In his life, Suzaku had never left the Home Islands or embarked on a trip longer than a day or two by car, or in one exciting instance by helicopter. He had lived most of his life in the Greater Tokyo Area, and had never really given much thought to that fact. He had no contacts outside Japan, and Ashford Academy provided plenty an international flavour for his occasional wonderings. He was not used to departures very far afield, and yet he was loving every second 20000 feet above the ocean.
Suzaku leaned back into his leather seat as he enjoyed the experience of flying while tucking into a three course dinner of chicken with white wine sauce, definitely a Britannian dish but in conjunction with the flight to Midway on the small, personal business jet, a symbol that they were being taken very seriously.
In spite of that looming pressure, buttressed by Lelouch's warning, Ohgi seemed to be enjoying himself as well, finishing off a small, bottled beer as they received the warning to prepare for touchdown. Suzaku, surprised by how swiftly they had crossed half the Pacific Ocean on the silky smooth ride cushioned by the occasional cloud, and as they came to rest with a flare and a squeal of brakes down the short island runway, he knew there was only one person to thank for this opportunity, someone who was waiting eagerly outside the plane as they disembarked and someone who he made certain to thank as soon as his feet touched ground.
"Princess! It's wonderful to see you again!"
"The same Suzaku! It's so great to see you hear! I was so worried when I woke up, it scared me silly!"
The reply was quick and genuine, as Euphemia pulled him into a tight embrace around his chest, swaying him wildly as Ohgi came up behind, chuckling at the truly explosive display of affection. Similarly, opposite the former teacher stood an amused Guilford, who maintained his composure with a brief press of his glasses. Briefly gazing past Euphemia's shoulder to acknowledge the conscientious Knight with a nod, which the slender man returned in appreciation, Suzaku separated from Euphemia's tight grip and said "Thank you again for this opportunity, I can't imagine any of this was easy to arrange."
"Oh, it was no issue Suzaku!" she smiled. "I mean, you did save my life after all, from Kusakabe! It was so brave, you didn't even know me."
Suzaku remembered it well, rubbing his shoulder before blushing embarrassedly, commenting "Ah, it was nothing. Not like there was much choice… hurt like hell though."
They shared a chuckle at the memory, as Suzaku struggled to find words to continue the thought. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, as he found in an out of character manner that he lacked the words to continue, stammering which caused Euphemia to laugh even further.
"You're shaking Suzaku! Calm down, we can't have you go into the hall like that. Here, sit down here beside me first and clear your head."
Suzaku attempted to protest as he was dragged towards a set of chairs by the entrance to the small airport and forcefully pushed down onto the foamy cushion, before, grinning ear to ear with approval, Euphemia sat decisively beside him, as the two older opposites slowly followed along, sharing a smile in side eye at Suzaku's misfortune. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister unsuccessfully attempted to ward off the concerns of the Princess.
"Euphemia, I'm fine!"
"Please, we're friends, call me Euphie."
"I'll note that… oh, Ohgi, thank goodness."
Suzaku stood again after his brief supposed rest to recognise his rescuer, at the expense of a pouting 'Euphie', who eventually seemed to get over it and be content walking alongside the Japanese delegation, consisting of the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and two stenographers whom Lelouch had insisted on. Euphemia and her associates were nominally neutral, however it was clear how she swung, while Schneizel led the Britannian delegates, who were waiting in another building. Procedures were due to begin tomorrow, and the rest of the day was for rest and to allow the participants to familiarise themselves with the facilities, which, according to Euphemia, amounted to a party.
"It will be so much fun!" she exclaimed as the crossed the sparse street to the hotel where the event was being hosted. Continuing, she explained in great detail how excited she was, causing Suzaku to feel smaller and smaller by the moment to the great amusement of everyone else. At the very least, he began to recover his confidence, commenting as they entered the main hallway, "After you, ma'am."
"Oh, calm yourself, we're friends." Euphemia replied, waving off the overly formal Suzaku, who was left in an internal period of questioning as to what the hell was going on with him, however his brief panic was resolved by the arrival of panic of another sort as he heard Euphemia comment "Oh, hello sister!"
Suzaku's blood ran cold as he turned to see Cornelia Li Britannia and Jeremiah Gottwald approaching in a restrained manner, dissonant from their faces which held nothing but disgust. While he doubted he would be caught speechless in the same fashion Euphemia had managed to render him, he was nonetheless not looking forward to this encounter.
If it were any consolation, which to Suzaku it was not, it did seem that Cornelia was no more eager to recognise the opposing party, seeming to turn away after staring at Suzaku and Ohgi briefly to scorn Euphemia, before awkwardly turning again as she met eyes with Guilford. Meanwhile, Jeremiah seemed perfectly content to glare holes into Suzaku, likely remembering the instance where he was knocked out when attempting to arrest the teenager. In short, the entire situation was incredibly awkward for all parties. It took Euphemia to try break the ice, adding "You know, I don't think you've met Suzaku Cornelia!"
"Jeremiah has been an excellent character reference. I know everything I need to about Suzaku."
The man in question sighed, somewhat deflated. This represented what Euphemia and Lelouch had both occasionally referenced in regards to Cornelia, a certain ignorance beyond initial assumptions. What made it more annoying was that she was behind the curve of Britannian policy, which now recognised to a small extent the Provisional Government. This was just a personal grudge, though whether it was against Suzaku in particular or part of the overall anti-Japanese attitude she held remained to be seen.
Still, in credit to her, Euphemia tried again, insisting "I've no doubt it was a misunderstanding. I've known Suzaku to be a wonderfully nice person."
Instantly, Suzaku wondered if she had met anyone she did not describe as such, however he did not hope to look a gift horse in the mouth. Similarly, while Suzaku was in no doubt Cornelia would be more than happy to either ignore or demean the him, it was obvious that even though Euphemia had spited her on Guilford and the S.A.Z, she still held a soft spot for her, a weakness that forced her to be mannerly. Holding her head in a tight fashion, she asked "I notice an absence. Where is your comrade Lelouch?"
"Your brother-" Suzaku responded "-is currently in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds to the upper chest, though his condition has improved."
This certainly caught Cornelia by surprise, and Jeremiah looked outright shocked. While this proved to Suzaku they still cared about him, his eyes turned briefly to Euphemia, who displayed an excellent poker face. It surprised him that they hadn't been told. Still, at least this seemed to open one of them up, as Jeremiah stepped forward, to the surprise of Cornelia but not Suzaku. Lelouch had mentioned that the man had once been a close confidant of his mother, and likely would feel incredibly guilty after realising who exactly he had slammed into the fridge, and while Suzaku was willing to chalk this up to another level of hypocrisy, it did appear that the Margrave was genuinely torn as he stood ahead of Cornelia.
"Pardon me milady, and apologies, but, Su- Mr Kururugi, it troubles me greatly to hear of this development. I would like to apologise for attacking you both, we had no idea-"
"Jeremiah."
Reined in by the verbal reprimand, he seemed to briefly withdraw into himself before regaining visible confidence. Avoiding the tangent he had been going on to avoid Cornelia's scorn, he rephrased, asking "I was merely wondering, how you three met and began working together..?"
Cornelia eased up, nodding approval. "I suppose that's as good a place to start as any, but let's get seats first."
Somewhat happy that the overwhelming awkward pressure had been relieved, Suzaku followed the pair to the centre of a grandiose hall, decorated by a series of round tables, tablemats, and the whole works of decor and attendants sweeping the room with silverware and service. Uncertain, Suzaku and Oghi shared looks as they sat at the 6 and 8 o'clock hands of the table, arranged like a half-dozen clock. Jeremiah and Cornelia sat opposite, ordering exotic wines in languages and tones Suzaku had never heard before. Settling for water, sensing beer would not do well here, he began the story, emphasising the theory and philosophy behind the rebellion and highlighting at every possible instance where the people in the ghetto's worked towards their own freedom, hoping to subliminally infer that ethnically different people had potential to help themselves.
It made for a weird experience, as in conjunction with Ohgi he felt as if he was constantly attempting to justify his own presence to a dismissive audience who seemed far more concerned with refamiliarising themselves with the absent Finance Minister than educating themselves on how they had potentially lost what had once been considered a core region. It led to a great amount of frustration as he constantly had to attempt to rerail the conversation from the minor and unimportant details to the broader picture.
Eventually, a crowd gathered to enjoy Suzaku's recounting of events. While diplomatic in allowing questions, hoping to encourage a greater dialogue, he had never in his life encountered a more vapid audience, so removed from any semblance of reality.
He supposed that was how they had won, if won was the appropriate term. Even Cornelia seemed to lose focus and interest as he described the efforts he and Ohgi led in the ghetto. However, always a believer in the idea of winning over people by speech, he persevered, finally explaining the concept of the Provisional Government and its priorities.
By this point, it had gone from a question and answer segment worthy of a morning talk show for all the substance contained in it to a more speechlike display, if lacking in volume. While it did seem preachy, Suzaku felt there was no people on Earth perhaps as in such dire need of a bit of preachiness than his audience.
Still, while some left or busied themselves with starters, his initial audience stayed the course, as Suzaku turned to Ohgi, quickly realising he'd been dominating the conversation and asking "Anything to add?"
Suzaku saw Ohgi move to shrug his shoulders on an instinct, but the normally informal man recognised what Suzaku had been doing and held himself with dignity that would normally be a poor fit on him, replying "I believe you've summed it up very well."
Suzaku could tell Ohgi felt the same way he did. He felt like he was on display, a curiosity not quite amounting to much beyond a brief peek, a zoo animal. He could envisage a discussion going on behind him, something like "Oh my, would you look at that? They're getting ideas, those Japanese. Fascinating. Another shot of brandy, would you?"
It was a stereotype, but it felt fair. The longer this show went on, the more despondent he grew, at his lowest wondering if this whole venture was pointless. Why, he would wonder, ought he or any other Japanese person worry about the opinions of these indulgent, ignorant fools? It would be almost better if they were out and out vicious, denigrating with effort rather than indifference. At least then it would be clearer.
He would ultimately come around to recalling the responsibility he held. Settling down, he sipped at his water while picking at his steak, participating in conversation in an uninterested murmur, mostly with Euphemia and Ohgi, both of whom were almost as uncomfortable as him. Still, while they did manage to engage in self contained small talk where Euphemia got to know the other two better that in isolation was enjoyable, the mood was soured by interruptions and questions, which came to a head when Cornelia, having been talking with her Deputy Chief Of Staff, asked over the open table what had happened to Zero.
The table fell into silence, as Suzaku took a moment away from Euphemia, who had been telling a joke, to deliver a side eyed glare to Cornelia, before announcing "We have Zero in custody.", being careful to not refer to gender.
"You have him?"
"That is what I said, yes."
"And his identity?"
"Perhaps not over dinner."
"I insist."
Suzaku's scowl did not move, as he tried to push back. "I must insist to the contrary. All will be learned tomorrow over preliminary negotiations."
Cornelia, in a terrifying manner, suddenly scowled back, with gargolic features morphing with arched brows and a piercing glare. It nearly threw Suzaku off in how sudden the transition for an unconcerned casual demand to outrage. It legitimately seemed to him that a reasonable denial was out of order.
Just another reminder of what lay beneath the lap of luxury, as far as Suzaku could tell.
However, before he could decide on a dignified response, having the lower symbolic position, and not having the perceived authority to be disrespectful, Schneizel stepped over and stood in the space between Suzaku and Ohgi, with Euphemia further to his left, symbolically backing them up.
"Cornelia, please. These gentlemen are here on behalf of their people, representing them. I'd imagine they deserve more respect than that."
The Princess was taken aback, unsure as to how to counter. Now, she was facing what she considered a legitimate authority, and was thus unsure whether to side with racist instinct or the hierarchical precedent. Her indecision resulted in her quietening, and all but looking away. After a moment, she suddenly recalled she had something extremely important to attend to, and was off. Jeremiah, not having been as disrespectful due to Lelouch apparently having respect for Suzaku, stayed behind, and allowed Schneizel to sit beside him.
While Suzaku was somewhat comforted by the arrival of someone who he could approach as more of an equal, Lelouch's warning rang in his head as Schneizel spoke in an approachable manner.
"It's wonderful to see you again. So how was the trip over?"
"Fine."
The Britannian Prime Minister continued to exchange small talk with the Japanese bloc for the evening before they went up to their rooms. He had been incredibly polite to them throughout, and made every effort to ensure they were welcome, as would be expected of a dignitary. Suzaku feared that due to the low standards presented by Cornelia and others that Schneizel, in providing the normally accepted niceties, would be seen due to the poorly framed comparison as being in some way on their side.
And Suzaku knew that Schneizel was in no way on their side.
Still, they reached their rooms in full comfort, with Suzaku and Ohgi getting suites that, upon his entry, only proceeded to make him feel small and isolated. Every gilded surface and silk seat only served to remind him of his discomfort. It was neither homesickness nor his usual aversion to indulgence, but the fact that this was simply not a room for one person, regardless of how individualistic the Britannians imagined themselves. It was a room for a family, ten, twelve people. One person could not fill such a room unless their head had grown very large.
It took him twenty minutes he elected to move across to Ohgi's room, who welcomed the company on much the same grounds.
"Sit wherever you want. We're spoiled for choice."
Ohgi's words rang true as Suzaku explored the cavernous room for a seat, eventually settling on a two person couch, sinking deep into its plump frame as Ohgi passed over a drink.
"You look like you could use some." Ohgi explained tonelessly, before lounging opposite on a sofa, sighing. "That was a mess."
"And we're negotiating with them. A brick wall."
"You're telling me. At least we'll be dealing with Schneizel."
Suzaku sat back, uncertain. "I wouldn't put too much stock in him, he may have helped us out with Cornelia, but he's their top negotiator. He probably had a reason for intervening…"
"I've no doubt, but I'd rather deal with him than those others." argued Ohgi, to which Suzaku countered "That's probably what he wants."
"Then he's welcome to it."
Ohgi seemed well willing to put an end to that circular discussion, clearly caring more about how they had been treated than even Suzaku, Not that Suzaku could blame him; it was scandalous. However, Ohgi was surprisingly more cynical than he was.
It did serve to remind him of the major difference between the two; while Suzaku had lived for almost a decade as son of the Head of the Japanese State, and then another near-decade under the sponsorship of the Ashford family, Ohgi was born and had lived the first few years of his life in a working class home, enjoying a brief career as a teacher before being forced into the ghettos. Suzaku could only imagine what perspective that would lend.
After chatting for awhile, they made their evening call to Lelouch, who upon hearing of their treatment offered an apology and a congratulatory note for their patience and good grace. He seemed frustrated that the Britannians were so ignorant at such a high level. Following that, there was a discussion of policy, led and directed by Lelouch, before he bid them a good night and departed.
Ohgi sat back and chuckled, which surprised Suzaku, especially given the dry discussion that had just occurred. He voiced this with a simple "What?"
"I'm not sure who's the Prime Minister anymore."
Suzaku turned in surprise, an expression somewhere between outrage and shock leaping onto his face. Ohgi backed off slightly, raising his hands to explain, which after a moment Suzaku paused and allowed him to do.
"Lelouch is pushing all these policies, you know that. And I'm not saying he's not on our side, he's more viciously against Britannia than either of us, but I worry about him."
Suzaku was now curious, and replied "Go on."
"For example, that incident with the Chinese. He knew exactly where they would be, and where to get Zero. As well, he's always the one planning and directing everything we do. I'm not saying he isn't competent, and for now he's only in the Finance Ministry, but there's a precedent developing and it worries me."
Suzaku frowned and looked down, recognising the point for what it was. The worse part was the Prime Minister found it impossible to argue against. It would entirely typical of Lelouch's nature to try and overbear, which in spite of its good will would nevertheless threaten the type of Japan both Suzaku and Ohgi wanted to build. It was in his nature to consolidate power, as in his words he fought 'because nobody else seems to know how to.' Suzaku knew Lelouch would sacrifice ideals for results in a heartbeat. Still, he wanted to defend his friend, and weakly commented "He has our back…"
"Yes, but I fear he's holding it up with a knife."
Comparisons between Lelouch and his father came together too easily.
"If we kept him in the Finance Ministry…"
"That would work, for now. Let him use his skills to get the nation on its feet, and keep the head seat out of his reach."
"So long as we agree."
Suzaku nodded. While he was effective in organising and understanding what needed to be done, his dictatorial tendencies had to be kept in check, for the sake of a healthy democracy.
The pair leaned their heads down, as they clinked glasses to agree on their first act of betrayal.
"Lelouch must never become Prime Minister."
For the good of the nation.
I believe that Chapters, like Paragraphs, exist to segregate ideas, and to highlight them in sequence in order to emphasise their importance to both the plot and theme. For example, the first Chapter in isolation tells us the turning point for Lelouch choosing to join Suzaku, and provides an initial insight into how he thought as a child. Here, there was much the same, with one critical point towards plot and one critical point towards an overall idea made in this Chapter.
First, the racism. While it was downplayed in the show, given what little we were shown it is unfeasible that Suzaku and Ohgi would be treated with anything short of aloof ignorance. While this sets the atmosphere within which our heroes shall be working - that being highly uncomfortable - it also informs the attitudes the two affected Japanese men will take in the future on Britannian policy, as they get this not-inaccurate image of Britannian policymakers.
Meanwhile, Lelouch's machinations and trickery are now beginning to have consequences which alongside Euphemia getting to know Suzaku and Ohgi is the major plot implication of this Chapter. This schism Lelouch has been vaguely aware of and grasping at has been recognised by the others, as they plan to restrict his potential political power, while Schneizel, who if you have noticed is sowing his own seeds of discord, laughs away.
Still, though it breaks me up, it'll make for good drama, which will all unfold in the following Chapters, starting with the beginning of peace negotiations in the next Chapter, Rules Of Engagement. I'll see you then. In the meantime, don't conspire against your colleagues, stay safe, and please rate and review!
~Eth0