Nunnally was last to leave the classroom as usual. She was hardly so impolite to force her way through her classmates, which they well knew. The mean comments were nothing new either; they had it out for her hair today.

It all slid off like water on the outside. She growled inwardly, but refused to give them any satisfaction for their bullying. Not like they could do anything that would force her to react; it had been years since any food or drinks 'accidentally' fell on her. Or since someone pushed her out of her wheelchair.

An unspoken agreement existed between her and the rest of the school: as long as they kept it at this minor stuff, Lelouch would not learn of it. She could not and would not hide anything that left marks; nobody forgot about the fact, even years later. No one managed to connect that particular incident to him, though everyone knew he was responsible. Nobody dared put a hand on her since then.

By herself, Nunnally felt a little bad about the disproportionate retribution. She forgot the poor girl's name, not that it mattered; her family had to leave the country after all their dirty laundry found its way to various key people.

Most of Nunnally's feelings were grim satisfaction, though. And worry, of course; not for the girl, but for Lelouch. They might get too much attention focussed on them if this kept on happening, hence this unspoken agreement with her classmates. Nunnally could bear these little annoyances for their safety's sake.

Then again, the week so far had less bullying than she was used to. Her eyes were clearly the cause, seeing how much interest the news of her regained sight garnered. Even the teachers were relieved they no longer needed to give her special treatment and derail the class.

Their feelings were no secret to her, but they ultimately did not matter at the moment. It was Thursday and she still felt that manic energy urging her to do things. So she maneuvered through Ashford Academy, now finally able to see the beautiful structure where she had to rely on descriptions before. It was a sprawling campus full of well-tended gardens and white stone buildings. She knew too little architecture to really compare, but it felt both grand and inviting in some sense. Although the crowd of students herding this way and that was far more imposing to see than it was to hear.

People grudgingly made way for her as she moved toward the administrative building. The downside of being able to see was that she could tell the many glares now, though Nunnally still ignored them.

In truth, she was giddy. Being able to see meant she could actually participate in student council work.

Nunnally entered the room with a soft greeting, absently returned by Rivalz and Milly. Nina sat in her computer corner, Shirley was not there yet, and Lelouch was already busy working. She took the spot by her brother's side, who pushed a small stack of papers her way without even looking up.

The work itself already lost its novelty, but she still kept at it. Unfortunately, Nunnally was slow compared to everyone else; her writing speed still left much to be desired, and she needed a dictionary to look up various words. But she got a little faster each day, so she kept at it.

In addition to being practice, the monotony and occasional chit-chat helped settle her feelings some more. She was not exactly mad at Shirley anymore, though she did not greet the older girl with a smile when she came in, either.

Then her pen leaked ink onto the paper she just spent five minutes working through. Nunnally scowled at it while trying to swallow her anger.

Lelouch's hand landed on hers a moment later, making her calm down instantly.

And just as always, their meeting transitioned into a social gathering after an our or two of catching up on busywork. Milly was the one to start them off, as she so often did.

"So, how are you holding up, Nunnally?"

"I can't complain," she answered non-committally. Transparent though it was, Nunnally appreciated the attempt to include her after she called everyone out on not doing so. It annoyed her at the same time, but she did not let it show.

"I'm glad to hear it," Shirley joined in. She paused a short moment to gauge Nunnally's mood, having walked on eggshells around her all week.

With no imminent eruption in sight, she absently carded through her bright orange hair. "Say," she tried next, "do you want to go shopping sometime? I found this cute cafe in town a few weeks ago. Um."

She shut up before Nunnally even said anything. Her frown must have shown.

The sudden tension was not what she intended to create, but now it was there. Nunnally allowed herself a little sigh and got about dissolving it. Shirley was just being nice, but how that came to be still annoyed her.

"Please let me make something clear," she started, "I do not hate you."

If anyone was not already listening, they were now. Nunnally focussed on Shirley, who seemed genuinely surprised. She did have a habit of jumping to conclusions after all. Nunnally shook her head.

"I'm still upset, but not so much with you as the circumstances. I made myself clear how I feel we stand to each other, and that's okay. You don't need to feel obligated to do anything on my behalf."

It was more true than she thought before saying it. The situation itself was what made her angry more than anything; playing house in hiding, having to fear for her safety at every opportunity. Not being able to even run away if needed. She was still defenseless and she hated it with a passion.

The others kept quiet during their exchange. Shirley nodded sadly.

"I'm glad to hear you aren't mad at me, but I still feel bad because you're right. And I'd like to be friends with you after all, so I got to make an effort."

Her words sounded earnest if nothing else. Nunnally tried for a smile, but it came out more curt than she wanted it to be. She could not quite decide what to say either; the notion made her a little happier, but she could not stop suspecting ulterior motives. Shirley had a long-standing crush on her brother, so she would not be the first girl to try getting at him over her.

"I mean, it's kind of hard," Rivalz interjected into the silence. His usual grin was absent, replaced with something that may be somber. He had their immediate attention and kept explaining his view: "We see Lelouch all the time in class and stuff, so you being the little sister just kind of... happens. And you being as you are makes it hard to invite you anywhere. Shirley just didn't want to bother you with something you couldn't enjoy, then it got out of hand."

"Yeah, that," Shirley agreed somewhat helplessly. "I never stopped to think about how you would see it, and I'm sorry about that."

In the end they were just too sweet to stay mad at. Nunnally heaved a little sigh and smiled faintly.

"I guess so. I believe you, but it's hard to just let these things slide entirely."

Then she had a thought, both a small test and a little revenge: "Actually, Lelouch? Did you tell them about the weekend after next yet?"

He shook his head, so Nunnally almost gleefully took to explaining to the curious group: "Right now I'm a little too busy to go anywhere, but there is something you can do for me. Kaguya is visiting Saturday of the week after next. Please be nice to her."

She noticed Nina seemingly shrink in her chair, but that was about the worst reaction she got. The mixed feelings were difficult to read from the various faces for her still.

Shirley only needed a moment to nod her agreement. "Sure thing. I just... don't really feel like I'm doing anything there?"

"It all starts with small things," Lelouch offered, which did not quite comfort his classmate.

A moment of silence followed, then Milly started teasing him about his philosophical comments. Nunnally only listened at that point, content to soak up the atmosphere. It was a nice enough breather.

They only got back to the subject later while walking toward the elevator. It was just Lelouch and Nunnally, so they could speak more freely.

"Shirley is too honest to deceive you," Lelouch started. He did not need to elaborate, though Nunnally threw him a look over her shoulder.

"As honest as she was when using me as a springboard for your affection?"

He contemplated this for a moment before inclining his head. "You have a point, but I feel she did not even realise she was doing it."

"Thoughtless malice is still malice," Nunnally responded evenly.

"Maybe I have to take your dictionary away."

"Only over my dead body."

They grinned at each other, well aware either side was joking. It was nice to transition between proper discussion and banter so easily. They never had any trouble with it before, but now it felt more seamless.

"I like being more independent," Nunnally mused. She got tired of craning her neck, hence why she missed the complicated expression on her brother's face. He did not respond, either. She could only hear some tapping on his phone, just as they entered the service elevator she used to traverse the building. Then, instead of the ground floor, Lelouch entered another destination.

"Where are we going?"

He kept quiet, not answering her question. This worried Nunnally even more once Sayoko slid into the cabin on another floor. She waited with curiousity and budding anxiety as they descended.

The sound of running water hit her ears through the walls about as soon as the doors opened. Everything else was dark, though the audible tapping of feet on concrete gave her a basic idea of the corridor ahead.

"Lelouch," she tried again, this time more pointed. "Why are we in the sewers?"

A lamp was lit. Sayoko took over pushing her while Lelouch led the way. He explained as they walked, complete with exaggerated motions for the sprawling area.

"I made sure even the blueprints don't show how big this place actually is. The lift needs a special password to even come down here, only Sayoko and I know it. I'll tell you later so you can memorise it. This secret area is two things mainly; first a retreat for us in case things go pear-shaped, second a storage for things nobody should see at school."

Nunnally listened attentively, though her gaze still raked across the area. She could not see anything forbidden yet. Her anxiety had melted away and let curiousity take over entirely. But Lelouch, ever the tease, stopped in front of another locked door. It looked completely unassuming before he slid a hidden panel away to insert a key.

Before he pushed open the door however, he turned around and knelt in front of her.

"I had to do some soul-searching the last few days," Lelouch began gently. His eyes never left Nunnally's, full of warmth. "Seeing you put so much effort into catching up made me realise that you're growing up. You will always be my little sister and I will always love you, but I feel you don't want to be just my ward forever."

It was heartwarming and a little surprising that he noticed on his own. Nunnally nodded, unable to vocalise her agreement. Lelouch smiled in turn.

"So I figured I should show you what I have been working on for a while now."

So saying, her brother put in a twenty-digit password before opening the door and showing them in. The lights went on automatically to reveal... a lot of stuff.

There was a complete computer station set up down here, cables vanishing into the walls. A filing cabinet with Lelouch's usual neatness of files stood right next to it. And then there were many caches of goods, most of them still in their boxes and crates. Nunnally tried to glean anything from the codes on each crate, but they told her nothing.

"This is where I store some of the less bulky things I got my hands on," Lelouch offered by way of explanation without actually saying anything.

Seeing that he took his sweet time, Nunnally cast a glance to Sayoko. Their maid was not surprised by anything in here. She even smiled upon noticing Nunnally's gaze.

"I was the one to bring most of this down here, young mistress. As per usual, nobody thinks anything of a maid carrying or pulling cargo."

Nunnally hummed in thought at that. The rustling of paper drew her eyes back to Lelouch, who started rifling through files. He prepared this, whatever it was. It was clearly not legal either, else it would not warrant hiding.

"How many weapons do you have down here?"

"Enough."

That was all it took to make Nunnally look back at the various crates. She considered asking for a gun again, but decided to wait for what Lelouch was planning. Maybe he even decided to give her one. She rather indulged her curiousity instead.

"What else do you have down here?"

He pulled out a particular file and straightened up, then began explaining as he checked the crates: "I started a few years back, but most of my efforts were focussed on funds. By now I have all the basic necessities; rations, firearms, ammunition, explosives, the like. The one thing I had to stash elsewhere is a platoon-sized complement of Sutherlands."

His nonchalance in admitting it made Nunnally gape. She figured where this was going halfway through, but the last part just left her dumbfounded.

"You got your hands on Knightmares?"

Lelouch glanced back with a little grin that made her feel a mite embarassed. She still underestimated her big brother. At the same time however, Nunnally was still exasperated. It deserved extra emphasis: "No, really. How did you get your hands on state-of-the-art Knightmare Frames? Did you steal them right from the factory or something?"

This time he scoffed in response, though more for effect than anything. He did not even stop his search as he answered her: "Of course not. I bought them. Corruption is such an awful yet helpful thing."

The quip coaxed a giggle out of her, after which Lelouch finally found the crates he was looking for. Nunnally took note that there were two dozen identical ones while he indicated to Sayoko. Their maid was suspiciously efficient with the crowbar, too.

"Anyway," Lelouch distracted her under the noise of creaking wood, "let's have a little history lesson. Some Britannian entrepreneurs tried to develop military power armour a few years back. The idea was to get a middle-ground between regular infantry and the Knightmare Corps. Less cost-intensive than a full frame, so that more soldiers can field it."

"Let me guess," Nunnally interrupted, though he did not seem to mind. "It failed. I'll even go out on a limb and guess the nobility did it because they didn't want their elite Knightmare pilots being weakened in station."

They stared at each other for one long moment. Lelouch let the tension build on purpose, only to smirk back at her.

"Full marks. You're completely correct. However, I got wind of the project in time to buy the whole stock before the manufacturer went under. Discreetly, of course. Thanks to the nobles trying to bury this avenue of research, nobody knows I have them.

"That could be useful," Nunnally mused, and she meant it. Knightmare Frames had issues maneuvering in urban combat that a person-sized suit did not have. At least if one wanted to keep the infrastructure intact.

"Do they work?"

"Yes, but not well. That's not really why I'm showing them to you either. The technology is new, but maybe if we find someone to refine it..."

Lelouch trailed off and nodded to Sayoko, who revealed a bulky full-body suit. It was still in Britannian blue and gold, but otherwise what one would expect; the design was not aesthetically pleasing to Nunnally's eyes, she liked the sleek curves of Knightmares better.

Squinting at the suit did not tell her why Lelouch would show her that in particular. Nunnally needed a few seconds longer before it clicked, but then her head snapped back to him.

"No way. I, I can use it?"

His expression softened in response to her hopeful tone. He came over to clasp her hand tightly. "I reviewed the specs. It should theoretically work. With how much you must miss walking, we can at least try."

The tears were wiped from her eyes before they could even fall. Nunnally sniffled once, then got herself under control and beamed up at him. Then she started turning her wheelchair, possessed by a sudden, frantic air.

"What are we waiting for? Put me in it, let's go!"

Her brother and maid both chuckled at her immediate turnaround, but they complied. Lelouch lifted her up and held her while Sayoko attached the suit's lower half according to his instructions.

It felt alien to be upright at all. Nunnally made her peace with the feeling because she had no hope it would ever change, but now she was here. Had she not been held so tight, she would vibrate with anticipation. Soon she spread her arms for the upper half.

Magnetic clamps clicked shut and she was inside.

It felt a little stuffy in this suit, what with her dress bunched up to fit inside. She was too giddy to even take it off. She also still could not move her legs, though she felt the comfortable stuffing in each leg piece.

Lelouch carefully explained how to activate the armour then, a manual in hand. Nunnally was surprised to notice they were almost the same height, but that did not stop her from listening intently.

Once the introduction was done, she put on the helmet. Her brother double-checked that it slotted in right, then activated the suit. A visor plinked to life and the half-dark was banished by sensor equipment. She could see the entire room in stark detail, even the shadowy corners.

The operating system was not configured yet, but she managed well enough. It was built with ease of use in mind, so all Lelouch needed to help with were some technical terms. Nunnally still just stood around for a while as everything was set up, but that helped her get used to it.

First she tried moving her arms, which followed the motions well enough. Then she held her breath and tried with a leg... and it moved! Her foot rose and slid across the floor in a lumbering step. Nunnally beamed and took another, then another. Her legs were still as before, but the machine made up for them.

"How does it feel?" Lelouch asked as she slowly made a round around the room. His voice came in clearly despite the thick helmet.

"Amazing," Nunnally answered breathlessly.

That one word carried all the emotions she could not express otherwise; her anguish at not having this of her own power. Her joy at being able to walk again. Her overflowing desire to just keep walking. She could say no more, too entranced by mobility she thought lost forever.

Nunnally made another round, then did a little hop. Coming back down with a loud thunk taught her not to repeat that one. But she kept on walking after; even if the space limited her severely, she loved every second. Lelouch and Sayoko stood aside, watching her with indulgent smiles.

She returned to them after ten minutes of walking and hugged them tight. Her soft "Thank you" and the tender gesture were at odds with the heavy mechsuit, but neither of them seemed to mind.

"It's a start," Lelouch reasoned. He rubbed her armoured shoulder soothingly, a sensation not felt but seen. "You can't wear this outside, though."

"I guess so. It's too unwieldy and conspicuous."

So saying, Nunnally hummed in thought. She remembered their earlier conversation and threw her brother a curious look. "Do you have any scientists who could improve it?"

He shook his head at that. "Not yet. Like I said, I focussed on material to start with. Troops and staff are on the list."

Even now he did not say what all this was for, though he did not need to. Nunnally could guess well enough, seeing how there was only a single possible reason. She let go and fully turned to her brother, not that he could see her face right now.

"You know I'm going to help you, right?"

Lelouch's expression froze up somewhat; it was the only sign of his surprise and quickly smoothed out.

"I don't want you in harm's way, Nunnally. I'd rather have you safe and happy."

"You can only have one of the two," she argued back. There was no way she would let him risk his neck without her. "Or you give up on this and stay safe with me," she added with a sweeping motion for the stuff around them.

Suffice it to say, Lelouch was not amused. Their impromptu staring match did not quite work out because Nunnally was still suited up, though. She still tried willing her feelings to him, just as he probably tried the same thing to her.

Sayoko interrupted evenly after a few seconds: "Perhaps this discussion is better had another time. Preferably when we are outside of a secret hideout."

She had a point, though Nunnally was hesitant to agree. She kept making use of her newfound mobility for a while longer, then Lelouch and Sayoko helped her take the whole thing off. Nunnally sighed heavily once back in her wheelchair, already longing for that freedom again. At the same time she felt a fledgling hope, now that she knew the technology existed. All it took was refinement.

Then again, this was not the main subject right now. She still had to mull over her short argument with Lelouch. They both probably agreed that getting into fights was out of the question for Nunnally. Maybe she had to start a little slower, just to get him used to it. Her gaze gravitated toward the filing cabinet, full of information she wanted.

"I want to look through the files," Nunnally declared. The other two paused where they still put the armour away once she spoke. "I want to know everything you got your hands on, and I want to know what you're planning to do next."

Lelouch hesitated. She could tell exactly what went through his head, that he did not want her to get involved. But when he met her determined gaze, his expression shifted.

"Alright, you can read them. But after dinner."

"Thank you so much, big brother!"

Nunnally beamed at him and all was right with the world. Though in the sanctity of her mind, she thought that he was too easy sometimes.