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]

[pizzapathy]

[how did I find out you got your ass kicked? good question. but I'm sneaky like that, so now I'm sitting in the corner waiting for you to be not-ded. oh look, you're awake!]

Hi.

[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.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Breaking away from spazzing at Kallen to spy her too.]

C.C.? You are here, as well... ?

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

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


I won.

[pizzapathy]

Looks that way.

Are you all right?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

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

I told you to step aside.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

... Nunnally and Euphie are gone.

[pizzapathy]

Gone?

How long has it been?

[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.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Just the other day. Camp released them...

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

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

[pizzapathy]

... I see.

I'm sorry.

[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...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

It is better this way... Though none of us can be sure of their fates.

[Turns away as voice drops and then tries to regroup it into something more solid.]

... It is the fates of those here we must concentrate on.

[pizzapathy]

At some point they may come back; it's not unheard of around here.

But yes, you're right.

[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.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah, it has happened to some, but it is not an outcome I have any right to dwell on.

... Those fates may soon have sides lunging for the other's throat.

[sharpasfire.livejournal.com]

[sitting on a chair elegantly poised with her chin propped up by her hand]

Did someone steal your crown?

[rebel-by-knight.livejournal.com]

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

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[And this is why I hate being injured. Now I want to just go back to sleep.]

[sharpasfire.livejournal.com]

[But ask yourself, do you really want to be unconscious with Azula in the room?]

I'll take that as a yes.