IC: Backdated to shortly after vacation event

[thekingsgambit]

[Is leaning against tree SOMEWHERES, going once more over those oh so special invites from camp... He's already pushing it enough with just being here and besides he's not going to leave Nunnally and Suzaku to wonder again where he's gone, especially after the work Nunnally has gone through in attempts to rebuild her family. Besides, he still has to be prepared for whatever might happen to Kallen's own time line while she is gone...

Closing his eyes, he quickly rips the letter in half.]

Comments

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Do you intend to rework the hangar's design, elder sister?

[Getting closer.]

[ascendthethorns]

You know as well as I that it would require a complete restructuring of the hangars and more resources than we could feasibly obtain here. The pilots have been inconvenienced enough.

[Lancelot? Shinkiro? Vincent? DO WE HAVE PINK LANCELOT??? One of them is visible now.]

Though the frames themselves could stand to be adjusted...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[We have a shiny winged Lancelot yes. Staring at that coldly before moving down the row a bit quicker now but still responding as though Cornelia's words are the only thing on his mind.]

Always preparing for the next attack, elder sister, but we may lack the necessary equipment in this case.

[ascendthethorns]

[Maintains her pace, so she might actually be falling behind him. MADNESS.]

I would still like to examine them. My familiarity with the models here is too limited for me to concede that they cannot be improved.

[Besides, she returned prepared.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Chuckles to himself from up ahead.]

You were always --

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[No Guren. :( Still, it's not as though he expected otherwise at this point.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Moves up beside him and studies the empty hangar. Spoken carefully after a moment: ]

That should be confirmation enough. Let us return now.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Takes another long look at the remaining Knightmares, as if wondering, in the back of his mind, how much longer all of this will truly last. Probably another sign that he has been letting himself become too accustomed to things, content in some twisted way. More focus is necessary.

Nodding, he turns on his heel.]

Ah, you have to settle yourself from your trip.

[ascendthethorns]

[Laughs a little at that, tiredly.]

I'm sure it'll be a while before I can truly settle back, such is the price one pays for unnanounced leave. I'm concerned about the situation with the undead in particular; dealing with their poor memory is enough of a challenge with daily reminders. My absence may have caused them to retrogress.

For now, however, there is something I would like to give to Nunnally.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He pauses.]

To Nunnally?

[ascendthethorns]

Mm, something from Japan that I heard she was fond of growing up, or so insisted the man who owned the bakeshop. His work is of exceptional quality though, so I can excuse his dishonesty if such is the case. You might enjoy it as well.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Offers one of his casual smiles, the curiosity only a small exaggeration from the truth.]

... Your trip sounds as though it was informative.

[ascendthethorns]

Informative?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

You were able to gain some additional insight.

[About more than just that bakery, I imagine.]

You are calmer than before you left.

[ascendthethorns]

[But it's not enough to sate his curiosity. Regards him carefully, almost studiously.]

What do you want to know, Lelouch?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Wets his lips as he stares at the walk ahead of them, his mind answering with every question possible. But, no, it would have to be one. Clarification for him to better understand her mood. That's all.]

You did not return to the same time as before, I know that much. Where did you venture instead?

[ascendthethorns]

Japan, as I'd mentioned, and at a point months past what I'd known previously, if not a year or more — the specific date eludes me now.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Well, this is somewhat satisfying news.]

I suspect the journey was reassuring.

[ascendthethorns]

Thanks, in great part, to the Black Knights. It is good to be working with them.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

The Black Knights?

[... Did know she was allied with the Knights toward the end there, but that she's still working with them...]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I see. Then, you believe things will be managed sufficiently until your return.

[ascendthethorns]

It isn't about what I believe, Lelouch, but what you must believe yourself.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I believe those back home know how to set their own course.

[Glances back one last time toward the Knightmares, eyes lingering for a moment on the empty space.]

That is enough.

[ascendthethorns]

[Follows that glance; hers lingers a little longer than his.]

Kouzuki in particular is doing well in that regard. She remains with the Black Knights and, if I am not mistaken, has resumed her studies.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Turns back to her slowly and then nods, with a slight smile.]

She will need them.