IC: Backdated to just before card chaos

[thekingsgambit]

[Someone is determinedly trying to ignore both the light flush on his skin and the much more noticeable stuffiness in his head as he navigates the surprisingly complicated hall to reach the common room, mumbling under his breath.]

It is about time Suzaku convinced her into doing something else. This has all been unnecessary.

Comments

[ascendthethorns]

Your guard initiative can stand alone while you recover; Nunnally would have my head if I was party to your overexertion in the meantime, and I dare suspect you'd find her sights on yours as well.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

An overreaction. It is nothing more than a cold. She was lucky enough to escape one herself, though she will still be taking fluids throughout the day.

I see no point to wasting time that could be devoted to this matter right now, before something else occurs.

[ascendthethorns]

There's nothing more we can do right now, Lelouch, meaning postponement isn't a waste of time, it's management. Focus on your original plan, put it into action, and I'll consider how it can be expanded. I encourage you to consider the same so we can reconvene on this later. For now, however, I've no doubt that there's a large number of people equally determined to prevent a repeat of the well incident whether they find themselves on your roster or not, including Nunnally, and thus I'm confident that we will be successful in keeping her safe while tensions resolve themselves. Nothing else will occur in the interim.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Reconvene when?

[ascendthethorns]

I'll leave that up to you.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Coughs again before he can respond. Then sets his gaze firmly on the wall behind him.]

... I still need to talk with her about who she trusts most.

[Glances back when he's confident enough in his voice again.]

You could do that as well. She has other ideas about what I should be doing in bed other than worrying about her.

[ascendthethorns]

[Frowns a little more.]

Then don't present it with concern.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

She sees it as that way regardless.

[ascendthethorns]

She has little reason not to. Consider this your first opportunity to rectify that.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

My first? What about the agency she has held since coming here? I only get involved when the matter calls for it.

[ascendthethorns]

What about it?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

It should have tempered the prior... situation.

[ascendthethorns]

[Pinches the bridge of her nose. Tiredly:]

You are oblivious...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Is himself frustrated.]

What are you talking about? Before this incident, Nunnally was succeeding well on her own. We only need some recalibration to sustain that.

[ascendthethorns]

Sustain what? Her dependence on others? Or perhaps your absent faith in her ability to overcome the complications of this environment? The more you insist on bearing her, Lelouch, the less you'll be able to ensure her safety and protection. How have you yet to realize this?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Forces himself from the chair in an almost jumping action. One he immediately regrets for the dizziness it brings.]

Absent? Since when has it been...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks like he wants to say more, but it all sticks in his throat -- already tortured enough from his earlier fits -- as the words settle over his mind. Along with scene after scene of the accusations they present. How could she see any of that without making the same conclusion as Cornelia?]

[ascendthethorns]

... inperceptible, then.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

... I can fix it. I will show her otherwise. She...

[There's that pesky cough again and this one just might be considerably longer than the others.]

[ascendthethorns]

— she'll need you rested, aware, able to think with all your faculties about you. Get something to drink and return to your room.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks more agitated than even, but with vision blurred due to coughing-induced tears and the now prevalent shortness of breath, he has little choice but to steady himself on the chair and nod weakly as he turns toward the sink.]

... As soon... as this... passes.

[ascendthethorns]

[Deflates her posture a little and curses inwardly before rising to encourage him back into his chair.]

No, it seems a change of plan's in order. Sit.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Doesn't exactly sit down just yet but more stares at her in confusion, trying to blink things back to clarity.]

[ascendthethorns]

Lelouch.

[Sit!!!]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Accomplishes this task by practically falling into said chair.]

... What change of plan?