IC: Too many Zeros

[thekingsgambit]

[Ah, early morning in the gardens. A time for simple reflection, rest from an overly complicated week, nostalgic appreciation of the flowers -- and a curious fire-duckling who has wandered into the scene to watch. And what is he watching? Why a well-sobered noodleprince walking among the rows, examining a plant from time to time, with a very distant look in his eyes.]

Am I just fooling myself?

Comments

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Relents with a shrug, and glances up again.]

I helped informally while she was under her camp effect. This is only a continuation of it.

What about you, Lelouch? Why are you out here this early?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Good. That means he's also ignoring the tighter way Lelouch is now grasping the hand. Since it smarts!]

Ah, when she was younger...

[Looks away.]

I was looking for a particular flower. I figured this early hour was the best way to choose without others gallivanting through the rows.

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

Do you need any help?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks a bit more flustered than usual at such a simple question.]

Aa... I am not quite certain what I am --

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[We interrupt this adorable scene to give you the sound of something small and fluffy half-leap/half-fluttering into a nearby flower bed! Accompanied by a small burst of fire from a sneeze.]

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[a;djfglh that was the edge of my jacket. Swatting at it quickly to stop the fire from spreading, and then glancing at the animal itself.]

—Eh? One of the camp's ducklings. . .?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

-- Suzaku!

[Is totally snatching his arm and looking him over. But also catching the duckling out of the corner of the eye. What's more, recognizing that particular duckling.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Pulling back from Suzaku once he determines that he is not, in fact, on fire. Frowning heavily in direction of the duckling.]

Of all the animals that had to follow me here...

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Inspecting the slightly scorched sleeve, before looking up as Lelouch finishes his sentence.]

Lelouch? Do you know that one?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[And cutting off his answer, we have one eager duckling, who responds with a boisterous quack. Sup!

Unfortunately said "Sup" seems to be coming out a little differently than expected and in a voice that might be just a little familiar to some.]

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

That voice—!

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Stiffening, with gritted teeth.]

—Zero?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Also straightening quickly as his mind goes into over-gear with explanations for this occurrence.]

How can...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[I have no~ idea who you guys are talking about but you're looking at me so Imma keep on quacking. CENTER STAGE YEAH!]

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

A camp effect—? It's impossible! But. . .!

[Glaring at tiny!duckling; apologies, Lelouch, but he's getting my full attention.]

Tell me where you've been hiding this entire time.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Fine with me. I'm just trying to get a good look at that duck right now.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY EVER -- Heeey why isn't someone picking me up? I want cuddlings dammit! Cuddlings!

And thus a brief display of hoppings ensue, hoppings that are giving a quick flash to especially perceptive eyes. AKA not Suzaku's. Flash includes an instant glimpse of something plastic near duckling's leg. Oh there is also more quacking.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Here have some more fire breaths in your direction for emphasis!]

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Stepping directly in its path, ignoring the fire entirely.]

No matter what form you take, you will never achieve your ends, Zero!

[SUDDENLY: MOVING TO SEIZE]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[-- OSHI!! Kid, what's your problem? I just wanted looooove. DD: Waddle away waddle away!! Frantic quacking and fluttering is a go! So is nervous spouts of FIREEEEE!]

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Can you really escape from superhuman superhumanlike speed? CHASING.]

And yet you would assert what the true responsibility to the people is? Isn't protecting them. . . their lives. . . supposed to be the most important thing of all?! And yet you continue on, regardless of the bloodshed that accompanies each one of your "victories"!

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[This is incredibly embarrassing... But at least I now know why I sound this ridiculous. Sees this chase and is suddenly filled with dread. Since Suzaku catching that duckling and noticing what Lelouch noticed could lead to some VERY INTERESTING QUESTIONS. Running after!]

-- Wait, Suzaku, this could simply be another of the camp's tricks!

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[Not slowing his pace, running on ahead.]

There's no way to find out until we question it ourselves, right? And we can't do that unless it stays in one place—that's why I'm going to catch it!

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[I hope you're also dodging the blasts of fire aimed toward your face by the misled duckling. Meanwhile noodleprince is only panicking A LOT.]

Be careful, Suzaku! I think something is very wrong here. Does that creature look confident at all?

[oneknightstands.livejournal.com]

[. . . well, one of the blasts may have caught the side of his cheek, but OTHERWISE he's dodging fairly well. Learning from avoiding bullets does that.]

It's clearly speaking with his voice! If it's a mistake, then I'll release it immediately. But if not—!