ITP: We make up for missing Mother's Day and Father's Day emo

[thekingsgambit]

[To most, a day of remembrance is a somber occasion. And Lelouch has already filled that requirement, having spent the majority of the day where he is now, in his room. For perhaps the second time, his laptop is closed and shunted to the side to make room for box containing Marianne's necklace. The box is open, although he has yet to touch it this entire time. Instead his attention is focused on an overturned jar of origami stars on the upper end of his desk. Some spilling onto the papers and schematics that crowd the desk's edge and tumble softly to the floor.

Another star bounces off his leg and falls onto one of pages already cluttered on the ground. Absently, his gaze travels to it, briefly reading the writing. Suddenly he jerks his head up from where he had been resting it on his palms, elbows doing their best to dig into the table. Lelouch snatches his jacket from the chair, not bothering with the mess he has made for the moment.

Eventually, he finds himself on a course only briefly trodden but one he has studied well enough to know his way. It helps that his destination is not a place. His walk is brisk and immediate, and it doesn't take him long to find what he's after.]



Should we be concerned?

Comments

[ascendthethorns]

Lady Marianne was a proud, independent woman. And very protective. It came as.. no surprise that she would tell me nothing, and I did not wish to pry. We spoke rarely of work besides. She did not desire to discuss it often.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Protective... She never thought of protecting herself. Mother never needed that. She shouldn't have...

[ascendthethorns]

She never thought to back down, but that in itself is an expression of self-preservation, is it not? I do not believe that she never considered her own safety along with that of others. Rather, at that time, she knew.. or she must have believed.. hmn, no. Understand that I do not have your answers, Lelouch.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

As you have already told me. Nobody has answers here! That's why everything is so sickeningly stagnate. I don't want answers; I --

[Tears gaze away and practically hisses his next words.]

Tell me why she was important to you.

[ascendthethorns]

[Takes a second, reflexive step back.]

... what?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Isn't this a another simple request?

[ascendthethorns]

[Shakes head as if to disagree.]

Lady Marianne.. her support was immeasurable. And her personal devotion to all that she cared about and to all in which she was involved seemed absolute. Her strength and will as well. I have yet to meet another so worthy of admiration..

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He remains quiet for a long while, looking away from her and crossing his arms defensively. When he speaks again, it is scarcely above a mumble.]

... You wish to be like her.

[ascendthethorns]

[Grunts softly and after a pause, tentatively moves to reduce the space she built.]

Lelouch? If you're going to ask for my candor, then I must make a request of my own. Understand the limits that are in place for us both. Do not disregard them. There are topics that must not be broached and questions that I will not answer. Not on this day.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He turns his head without moving the rest of his body, the challenge from before back in his expression.]

There are always limits. Why would it be any different today?

[ascendthethorns]

Why? That is not something you should need for me to explain.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

You are afraid.

[ascendthethorns]

What? Hmn. You are mistaken. There is nothing to fear.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Laughs in a choppy manner.]

You know the situation better than that, Cornelia. She was the strongest woman I have ever known.

[ascendthethorns]

Enough, Lelouch. This is not up for discussion.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Just as I thought.


It doesn't matter anyway...

[ascendthethorns]

... what doesn't matter?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He lowers his eyes and gives a rough sigh while clenching his right elbow, arms still crossed.

Never mind. You wanted to return, didn't you? I don't want to broach you limits.

[ascendthethorns]

No. It is too late for "never minds." I will not leave matters where they presently sit. And as for you? Allowing yourself to be difficult will accomplish nothing! We have already established more than enough battlefields. Do you actually wish to create another this evening?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He snarls his next words without facing her, nearly shaking with... rage?]

None of this matters! It won't change anything! And you can't either. All you can do is delay.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[His voice drops and he takes an involuntary step backward, clearly unsteady.]

. . . It's impossible to protect what matters...

[ascendthethorns]

[Speaks more sharply than she intends and with a slight, bitter discomfort to her voice.]

You cannot think that way. Greater men and women have reduced themselves to ruin humouring similar beliefs.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

It is not a mere belief. You... you do not understand.

[ascendthethorns]

If that's what you believe, then it would seem you're the one who does not understand.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Tch!

You truly believe you are untouchable, do you?