We were the kings and queens of promise

[Approaches from his left.]

If you insist on taking action, there are more productive courses. You waste your time investigating that device.

From:

[Stops with his diversion and turns to her, smiling casually.]

So I have heard numerous times. Still I wonder, if more productive courses exist, why you have not attempted them yourself. Are you waiting for something, elder sister?

From:

The means and the insight of those who've studied it most. Until then, my priorities are elsewhere.

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That much is certain. I cannot say I wasn't surprised when Nunnally deferred my questions to you. She seemed almost nervous.

From:

[Glares slightly at that.]

What were you asking her?

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I wanted to know who brought her here. And why.

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The Director Sayre, for reasons unknown.

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Was that true for us as well?

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It's true for everyone; hers is the power of absolute manipulation. It is freely abused.

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[How familiar.]

It might be more worthwhile to spend time studying her than the device keeping everyone here.

From:

More worthwhile? Hmn. To study her now is to obsess over non-information and vague details of questionable veracity. It is one of the more pointless lasting ventures one could undertake here.

From:

[He shakes his head for a moment and then pockets the chess piece, before smoothly turning to face her completely.]

Ah, you are right of course, elder sister. Studying her will prove to be its own challenge. Though, there may be other ways... I think, for now, we should talk about other matters of veracity.

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[Gives him an impatient look.]

Present them and we shall see if I agree.

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I assure you that you will agree, elder sister.

[Her impatience means relatively little to him as he connects his gaze with hers, calling upon the power that had been vested to him by his gray witch.]

Lelouch vi Britannia demands an answer from you!

From:

[Expression not dulled by the expected compliance but instead alight with rage, she quickly clears the space between them to slap him hard across the face, sparing no force.]

You arrogant fool!

[Anything more she'd had to say is lost in her seething.]

From:

[The blow should have just reeled his head to the side, but he is so unprepared to find rage on her face that he attempts a back-step at the last second. As her hand crashes against his face, the true reality of what just happened sinks into him with a palatable force, upsetting his footing and sending him sprawling to the ground. The look on his face is one of horrified disbelief, as his mind searches vainly for an explanation, fighting against the ringing inside his head.]

From:

[Doesn't move to help him up — doesn't move at all, really, or try to speak, stilled and silenced as she is by heavy, pounding adrenaline, and by the conflicting yanks and pulls of resurgent hatred and duty.]

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[Trying desperately to suppress his growing anxiety about the loss of his power, Lelouch crawls to his feet. He knows he has to say something to temper his previous command, something to make it seem like a simple mistake, albeit a vicious one. But far in the back of his mind, he realizes something was odd about Cornelia's reaction, that fury had come from more than just resentment toward a sharp tongue...]

Your aversion to my tone is well noted. I think it is best we end this conversation now.

[The words practically come as a snarl, letting her see just enough of his hurt pride to suit a chastised boy.]

My head is still not entirely where it should be.

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[Scoffs and walks past.]

An understatement.

[She'll have to have him monitored now.]

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[Watches her go and then ~~flees like a scalded dog~~ slinks off in the opposite direction, only moderately convinced that she bought the ruse. But he has more important things to deal with for now.]

From:

[Later, you will find your favorite person ever in front of the cabin. She has been waiting for you. And she is also very worried when she hears your upset breathing.]

Big brother?

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[Quickly tries to get that under control as he makes his way over to her. He swallows roughly in his throat, now fully facing the enormity of what it will mean if his power is truly gone forever.]

... Nunnally, I thought you were still working on your crafts in the other cabin. I told you that I would come and join you soon enough.

From:

[gently signs him to come closer]

It's fine, big brother. I just thought you'd take longer.

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[Obeys, still quite uneasy. Even a response to her concern seems too difficult to manage right now.]

From:

[hey, it's okay. I know you are having issues. :( ]

I-I've made this for you.

[She offers a tiny, cute clay sculpture. A boy and a girl joining hands, with happy smiles on their faces and lots of frills on their garments. There is a lot of skill to it. And a lot of love too.]

From:

[D'awww. Takes from her very carefully, staring hard at the tiny figures, as he speaks softer than usual.]

Nunnally... it is beautiful. It must have taken you some time.

[He studies the frills again and the edge reappears in his tone.]

But we should be careful not to let too many others see it here. We do not want any questions.

From:

[she touches his hair gently]

It's okay, big brother. Nobody will ask anything.

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[Holds gift tighter.]

Perhaps we will be able to paint them at another time. I will be busy tonight.

From:

[hand drops to his cheek]

Don't you want to stay home with me? Big brother seems tired.

From:

[Guilt. :( Puts hand over hers.]

This, this is important, Nunnally. I will make sure to rest as soon as I get back. It is a promise, all right?

From:

[ :( sighs, but doesn't withdraw hand]

Only if big brother promises he won't do anything dangerous. And only if big brother comes back soon... They say this place is dangerous at night.

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[Tries to pull off a weak laugh.]

I never do anything too dangerous, now do I?

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[shakes head at him and can't help but smiles a bit]

Big brother has an adventurous spirit, but please, I'm a bit more worried than usual.

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Because of our current circumstances? Do not worry. They will not be a problem much longer.

[Hopefully.]

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[you are my hero, and you get hugged. :(]

[smiling a bit more]

No. Because of big brother's stubbornness.

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[Pets hair.]

It has its advantages.

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[laughs helplessly]

But it is a dangerous hobby.

[takes clay figures from him and poises them gently on her lap]

I will keep this until you are back.

From:

[Holds one of her hands for a moment.]

Everything will be all right, Nunnally. Just concentrate on imagining a magnificent look for the both of them.

From:

I will.

[squeezes his hand gently, not really wishing to let it go]

Come back soon, okay?

From:

Ah.

[And now we are off to test our power, which will, by the nature of the law that determines that everything hates Lelouch, mostly result in Lelouch blacking out somewheres when his memory returns. o/]

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