thekingsgambit | IC: Curious chibi is curious

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IC: Curious chibi is curious

[After a long day of story-telling, dragon-baiting and generally being a contentious little chibi, we find young Lelouch waking up in the wee hours of morning with a parched throat, a result of the weather and his lousy constitution. Following a quick check on his little sister, curled close beside him, he cautiously slips out of the bed to make his way to the common room. Stealthily. He even makes it all the way room -- before a pair of early riser kittens find their way underfoot and his grab for the chair is rather poor planned. It soon finds its way down with him. This is why it's always such a great idea to attempt a "midnight" snack in a cabin full of hair-trigger sleepers. orz]

... we didn't have that many cats...

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[Your midnight snack has expired, lil lil bro; not that Cornelia is entirely aware of the hour herself, mind, newly realized memories still laying siege to her ability to concentrate, to comprehend, to relax, but the point still stands. As does the princess, jolted into alertness at the sound of displeased yowling and into awareness as child meets chair meets floor, though it's reflex still that guides her swifly to the source of the commotion.]

Lelouch? What's going on?

Elder Sister Cornelia!

[Looks up quickly from his spot on the floor, a leg momentarily pinned under the chair while kittens wrestle each other a few feet away.

And immediately looks down again, contrite and speaks in a low tone.]

... I wanted to find something to drink.

[... picks up the chair and sets it back by the table.]

Alone? You should know better than to wander around here without accompaniment, especially at this hour!

[Still looking down]

It wasn't something dangerous. I didn't leave the cabin.

[Sighs and offers her hand.]

Come. Get up.

[Seems reluctant to take it at first but eventually his guilt supersedes that and he reaches toward her]

Do you think it woke anyone else?

[Pulls him up and steps back when he's on his feet, casting a glance toward the bedrooms..]

It's pointless to worry about it now. Besides, were they bothered enough to mind, they'd have already made it clear.

[.. then checks the time on the digital wall clock with a scowl that she fades to blank once facing Lelouch again.]

Stay here.

[Confused at her need for immediate departure, he steps forward again, grabbing for her sleeve]

Wait, what is it?

.. are you no longer thirsty?

I am. But. I can get it myself, elder sister.

[Pulling down on sleeve slightly as he starts to let her go]

[Crouches to his level, raising her left arm to fix its sleeve.]

You shouldn't drink the water available here in the cabin and I don't want you venturing out on your own. Stay put, Lelouch, and keep an eye on Nunnally. You know how she'll react if she wakes only to discover that we're both gone.

[Is about to vehemently protest the Nunnally thing when he catches a flash of a darker, raised portion of skin near her wrist, as she quickly adjusts her clothing. His eyes widen just for a moment, trying to understand what he's seeing and he unconsciously takes her hand, grasping her fingers lightly, as he studies the mark before him.]

What are you—

[Equally without thought, she allows her hand to be guided away from her shoulder, bare again from the motion, but chases it with a swift, soft exhalation and a demand — unmistakably a demand.]

It is nothing, Lelouch. Let go.

[Gaze moves from her wrist to her shoulder, more trained on movement than anything. The similar mark he sees there is unmistakable this time. A gasp leaves him at the more pronounced wound. And though he does release her fingers, he does not do so without tightening the hold on them first. He steps back for a moment, frightened by what the wounds signify.]

[Quickly moves to fix her sleeve, then falls back onto her heels. Concern governs her own expression — hers more cautious and contemplative — and her mouth plays the part of a smile, if only briefly, if only until it falls tired.]

Come now. Your concern is unnecessary.

[Fear gradually turning into concern, he regains his steps, reaching out to brush the fabric but not enough to press on the skin underneath. This time, he does not meet her eyes.]

... Did that happen here? Is that why you were worried about the rules again?

[Moves his hand away.]

Enough, Lelouch.

[Slowly complies -- and then turns very serious eyes toward her.]

Is this place more dangerous than before?

Keep your voice down. The campgrounds are no more dangerous now than they were during your previous stay.

[Quickly bites lip at the admonishing. He drops his gaze again, his expression showing deep, troubled thought.]

I don't understand. You were attacked... And the one on your shoulder -- Did something happen at home?

[Takes his shoulders and twists herself to find his eyes.]

Nothing that you need to worry about. All right?

[Shakes head]

Why won't you tell me? Elder sister is in charge of the guards...

It didn't happen at Aries.

They attacked you outside the palace? But they didn't shoot to...

[Cuts self off, his voice as shaky as his eyes, which he tries to shift to the side]

... Do they still hurt?

[Lets him look away and lets her hand trace the scar on her wrist, still exposed, still foreign enough to her that she's not immediately certain of the answer.]

They have healed.

...

Does Euphie know?

... curious child. You ask too many questions.

Elder sister shouldn't be alone with something like that.

[Whispers her opening..]

You are much too kind..

[.. then removes her hands from Lelouch's shoulders for the close.]

And I am not alone. Don't worry.

[Eyes hold an unsure look at her first remark but brighten a little with the second, sensing truth in the words and not empty reassurance.]

You have your knight.

[Smiles genuinely, happily, but briefly as the realities return to her, bringing with them a certain self-consciousness that finds her looking away from her younger brother and rising again to her feet.]

And you have yet to get your drink.

Ah! I forgot. I will go check on --

[Breaks off as he notices her looking away]

[Looks at?]

On Nunnally?

[This time, he doesn't take his query further and merely nods.]

I wasn't supposed to be gone this long. She might be getting cold. These cabins aren't warm enough for her.

Then perhaps it'd be best if you simply went back to sleep.

[Still watching]

Elder sister too?

Mm.

[Nods again before a short but rough cough escapes him as he turns to go back to his room.]

[Catches that cough! And leaves the cabin once he's out of sight.]

[Lingers within the hallway for a moment, listening to her steps and giving another small cough. Then her carefully returns to the bed, being sure not to jostle his sister, who continues to sleep soundly from all her activities yesterday. Even if she has rolled onto her back and flung a tiny arm into the spot where he formerly slept. Lelouch gently takes hold of that hand and scoots closer to Nunnally, smiling at her sleeping face before yawning himself.]

[Returns a few minutes later, carrying two cups of warmed milk and placing them on the small nightstand next to the bed.]

[And it seems said milk will have to wait, as where there was once one snoozing chibi, there are now two. The smaller of the pair having been bundled in as much of the blankets as her brother could manage while he contents himself with a sheet. Hmm, maybe the cause behind that cough is starting to make itself more clear.]

[WE FIGURED AS MUCH.

... also leaving and returning with another blanket before leaving for good. If you give this to Nunnally YOU DESERVE THAT COUGH.]

[... if I do it in my sleep, it doesn't count right?]

[... hopeless.]

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IC: Curious chibi is curious

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