IC: Backdated to night of mega clusterfuck fight

[thekingsgambit]

[In one of the hospital beds, a confused ex-emperor is gradually coming to, blinking amid the poor lighting and grasping his side as he tries to sit up a little too fast. The skin around one underside of his jaw appears slightly swollen and darker than usual. Other than that, the only thing that stands out is the strained look of thought on his face as he tries to sort through the afternoon's events.]



((Note, with the exception of the Black Knights, threads are not occurring at the same time.))

Comments

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

--Lelouch.

[rises to her feet. She has a few bruises and scratches here and there, but nothing too serious]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Becomes more aware of his surroundings, putting him at an unease. But feeling the tenderness in his side, doesn't make another immediate attempt to rise.]

Kallen...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Does, however, shoot an anxious glance her way as their location clicks in his mind.]

-- Kallen! What happened?

[The question about Suzaku's fate also lies buried in the demand, though vocalizing it is another matter.]

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

[looks away as soon as he makes eye contact with her]


I won.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Anxiety deepening but managing to keep a flat tone.]

I told you to step aside.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

And let him hurt you more?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Watch how deftly I completely ignore your question.]

... Haven't we always concentrated on keeping civilians out of our battles? Think about where you stay, Kallen, who you interact with. Imagine what will happen if this fight renews itself on these grounds. We do not have the luxury of relocating combat.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

... It's not like Guren or Lancelot are in camp. Things won't escalate to those levels.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

The Knightmares are not necessary in a place where the residents themselves hold power equal to or greater than those weapons. And the battle lines have long been drawn; it has been our mutual understanding that has held action at bay to this point. We cannot risk upsetting that balance. Not for anything...

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

--What mutual understanding? Things were different before. You remember now, don't you? You know the things Suzaku's done and what he's capable of! I'm not just going to stand by while he tries to kill you or any of us.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Winces almost unnoticeable at "remember"]




Suzaku will not endanger the campers. Nor will he target you or C.C. when he can easily reach me.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

How do you know that? How can you trust him?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Might be clutching a sheet with one hand.]

... For the sake of everyone here and what happened before we all remembered. It is too late to reverse those relationships. Suzaku knows as well. He will not risk hurting those people. Nor will I.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

But he's willing to hurt you, and I can't allow that. I won't.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Kallen...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I do not want you to interfere between the two of us. I do not wish to see you suffer for it.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

...


And if I refuse?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looking directly at her now]

... It is not an order; it is a request. You owe me nothing here. But if you refuse, you are refusing more than just me.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

... I don't want to lose you again.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

...

[Going to try to use elbows to lift self upright, might be small gasp of pain at that.]

You will not. Not here.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

And not out there either!


[wipes her eyes with the back of her hand as soon as tears start welling up]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Sob Kallen sob. S-smiles a little.]

Well, certainly not with you watching after me.

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

--You're such an idiot.

[l-looking away]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Laughs somewhat softly, but more for caution then anything.]

How long have you been here, Kallen?

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

... Nine or ten months, I think?