After Munakata left, Awashima followed shortly after she gathered up the laptop from Fushimi. That left Lelouch alone with Fushimi. The other man sighed, reaching up to take the visor off of his face, revealing blue eyes underneath.
"Let's just get this over with," he sighed.
"Your boss was actually serious?" Lelouch asked especially.
"When he has that dumb smile on his face, I know he means it," Fushimi muttered. "Best to not question him. He's just weird, and I don't care to understand it."
"So, you're willing to have an unknown person in the same room as you?"
Fushimi looked back at him, letting out a long sigh as he stared. "I could care less honestly. I'm just doing what I'm told."
He's also strange. His lack of motivation and uncaring attitude… how does he manage to get any work done if he acts like that?
"This way," Fushimi said as he exited the room.
Lelouch quietly followed along, still mulling over the possibilities of what he could do if worse came to worse. He was going along with Scepter 4 for now, if they could prove useful to get him home. He had only seen a little so far, but he could trust that they did seem efficient.
The building he was led through was quite intricate. There were all sorts of people in blue uniforms walking around, all tending to other businesses no doubt. Only a few would give him and Fushimi a passing glance, but other than that kept to themselves.
From the amount of others that they passed, Lelouch was able to make an observation that Fushimi was wearing his uniform differently than the rest. His white shirt color was not tucked in properly, with the points sticking out rather than being folded nicely at the sides. He also didn't even have the jacket buttoned up, revealing the dark gray vest underneath.
Though, Leouch also did note the lower part of the uniform varied in comparison. The others he saw had a cut off by the waist making it resemble a shirt before the rest of the jacket went down to their ankles. Fushimi's had no cut off, instead looking like one full, unbuttoned jacket. His sleeves were also folded up to his elbows with two purple cuffs on his wrists.
Maybe it's a ranking. That woman, Awashima, her uniform was stylized and Munakata's was also very different. Since Munakata is the 'king' it would make sense his uniform is also different. Does that mean Fushimi holds a different rank as well? Hm, something to try and ask about later, if he is even willing to tell me. I could use my geass, but given how they were able to find me and learn about my ability in the first place, who's to say they wouldn't know if I activated it here? I need to try to lay low about that until I can determine anything else.
After going through a series of hallways and a few doors, they entered an area where Lelouch assumed had to be the sleeping quarters.
The entire walk there Fushimi had never said a word, only walking in front of Lelouch as he scrolled through something on his phone.
"Here," he said before stopping in front of a door.
He unlocked it and stepped inside as he proceeded to take off the blue jacket, setting it on the nearby chair.
Inside of Fushimi's room, Lelouch noted how bare it was. There were essentials but, other than that, there was nothing that really made the room feel personalized.
"I sleep on the top bunk, you can take the bottom," Fushimi said as he took some paperwork off the bottom bunk.
"You've given me a place to sleep, but what am I supposed to do about clothes? I only have the outfit that I came here with," Lelouch stated.
Fushimi shrugged. "I don't really know. I'll ask the Captain, but I know he'll probably give a ridiculous response."
"Such as?"
Fushimi clicked his tongue as he walked up to Lelouch, their eyes practically on level with one another. The boots that Fushimi wore probably gave him the slightest bit of extra high, meaning that if it wasn't for those shoes they would be pretty much the same height.
"Hm, you think he'd actually suggest that you should let me borrow your spare clothes?"
"I wouldn't put it past him, and I doubt you'd want to do that," Fushimi sighed, turning away. "But, we can go out and buy something if it's that important to you."
"I don't have any money in this world. Unless, you are saying you are willing to pay for a stranger. Wouldn't you consider that a waste if I am going to return to my own world soon?"
"Tch, then sleep in your clothes. I don't care. But, if you change your mind then tell me."
Fushimi walked over to a computer at a desk, flopping down into the chair before clicking on something on the screen. Somet text boxes were brought up, code from the looks up it, and Fushimi began typing away rather quickly.
So, he knows a thing or two about coding. Interesting… Perhaps we may have more in common than I thought. But, his personality makes it hard to have a conversation with him. That could prove to be difficult if my stay here is prolonged.
Stepping around the room, Lelouch looked at what little items were laying around. He found the closet that held several identical blue uniforms to what Fushimi was wearing, as well as some more casual clothes next to them.
Eventually, his eyes caught something on a shelf, a few books were aligned along it, but next to them was a box with something very familiar.
"You play chess?" he asked, trying to contain himself from smiling too widely.
"Sometimes. But, others aren't as skilled in it, and challenging the Captain just ends up being annoying with his commentary."
"Well, if you are looking for a new challenge, then you have found yourself a unique opponent," Lelouch said, giving a small chuckle.
This got Fushimi looking back at him. "You're claiming you're good at the game?"
"Oh, I don't need to claim anything when I have enjoyed it as a pastime since I was a child."
"And how do I know you won't cheat using your power to trick me into playing the wrong move?"
Lelouch closed his eyes, shaking his head slightly. "When it comes to chess, I wouldn't cheat. I am honest when it comes to the game."
Fushimi stood up, walking up to the shelf, pulling the box off. "Then, why don't we see you prove that."
Lelouch finally grinned widely. "Gladly."
"Tch, don't get cocky just yet," Fushimi replied, giving the slightest chuckle.
"Oh, and how about we add some levity to the game."
Fushimi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"If you win, I'll answer any questions you have about my world. If I win, you'll answer mine."
"More questions? As long as I don't need to take notes, I'll agree," Fushimi replied tiredly.
Soon they had the chess board set up, with Lelouch, of course, taking the black pieces to play as. He watched carefully as Fushimi made his moves, trying to study if the man had any pattern to his choices. But, within a couple of moves, Lelouch started to realize that Fushimi was much like himself… hard to read when in full concentration mode.
Still, he gave it everything he had, planning and replanning every strategy that came to him. In the end, he had gained the advantage against Fushimi and slowly moved towards winning.
"You've proven yourself a great opponent," Lelouch stated proudly as he made the final move to secure his win. "But, I'm afraid that this game will belong to me."
Fushimi hummed, leaning back in his chair as he stared at the board. "That was interesting. I'll admit that you are better than I expected."
Lelouch grinned. "You played well too. There were times when I couldn't determine what your next move would be. That is something I will call impressive."
"Right, so what else do you want to know?"
"Your boss talked of people referred to as kings. I want to know more about that."
"In this tiring world, there are people with powers, but normal people wouldn't know about it. These people with powers… while some develop powers on their own, making them Strains, the others are Kings. Kings who can grant their power to people, making them their clansmen."
"So you are a clansman of Munakata?"
Fushimi looked to the side, his fingers reaching under his shirt to scratch his chest. "Yes, that's right. I'm a clansman of Captain Munakata, the 4th and Blue King."
"And what does that make the rest of the Kings?" Lelouch asked, picking up his king chess piece to twirl in his fingers.
"Seven Kings total. The first is the Silver King, followed by Gold… Red… Blue, Green, Grey, and Colorless."
Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "Colorless?"
Fushimi sighed. "I didn't choose it."
"Then who did?"
"Not who… but, what. The Dresden Slate… It's complicated, but it's what gives everyone their powers."
So, magic in this world has a direct source. I wonder how it determines who to give powers to, rather than letting it run ramped to everyone. It doesn't seem like Fushimi would know the answer to that however. This will have to do for now.
"Thank you, Fushimi. Your information has been rather insightful."
Fushimi stood up again, heading back to his computer. "Good, because I'm done giving a history lecture."
Within seconds the man was typing away again at whatever program he was working on. Lelouch was once again left to his own devices as he searched around the room.
It's interesting, this world functions so differently than my own, yet I can see similarities. While this world has a supposed 'slate' that grants powers, the people given them can bestow it to others. In a way, it reminds me of when C2 offered me her contract. Though, from what I can gather each King most likely has their own abilities, and those same said abilities will be passed onto their clansmen. I wonder what kind of power this Scepter 4 has… perhaps there is a chance I could gain something useful from this before returning home.
If you enjoyed reading, please leave a comment! I am curious to know what people think of this crossover!