thekingsgambit | IC: Dreampostin~

[Euphie is not moving. She is not breathing. Her eyes do not even flicker as Lelouch calls her name. And as she speaks in a sad yet hope-filled voice that assails Lelouch from all corners of the room, her lips do not break from their smile.]

Why aren't you happy? All the Japanese are...

[He looks down at her, more confused than ever, his eyes searching for any clues as to what's happened to her. It must be some new poison! The entire palace was under attack! He grabs her shoulders, hoping to jostle her into some sense of clarity.]

J-Japanese? Euphie, did someone do this to you? Were they Japanese? Euphie!

[She doesn't answer, of course; as soon as he touched her, she began to bleed from her abdomen in the same manner as Clovis. She likewise ages nine years for ten seconds, losing neither her smile nor the glow to her eyes.]

[His hands slide slowly away from her shoulders, as the Euphie he knows changes into something else. His breaths become scattered, even as he shakes his head in violent protest, snatching at the blankets and trying to stop the blood flow.]

N-No not Euphie not Euphie...

[As red seeps through the cloth, he remembers the first aid kit and turns to grab it.]

[Is leaning against the wall, simply watching.]

[He starts shouting the second he sees Schneizel.]

Elder brother! Elder brother, what's going on? Euphie and Clovis and Father and Mother too... What - What's's doing this?

[Just stares.]

[Is now frantically going through the first aid kid, but notices Schneizel hasn't moved.]

Elder brother! Help!

[Watches a moment longer before soundlessly making his way to the bed and lifting Euphie off of it; the turtle is unsettled by the motion and drops to the ground with a loud crack.]

We - We have to get her to a doctor! She's losing so much blood...

[Tugs on Schneizel's dress jacket urgently.]

[Casts a quick glance at Lelouch's hands but ignores him beyond that, carrying Euphie toward the door.

If Lelouch would also spare his hands a glance, he will see that they are now coated in blood; even more blood is splattered across his face, arms and chest, and the legs of his pants are soaked in it nearly to his knees.]

[Watching him, Lelouch puts an almost numb hand to his face. The coppery smell of blood and the sudden warmth capture his attention almost immediately. He jerks back his hand to find it completely red and drips of blood trailing down his arm. He becomes suddenly aware of the blood all over him. Why is there so much? It couldn't all be Euphie's. Clovis? But he hadn't stayed that close to him for long... Where did it come from?]

[Out of the corner of his eye, he catches his reflection in Euphie's pink mirror. The boy behind the glass is splattered in blood throughout. And also a much older teen. His eyes glow from within the reflection, a sinister pinkish red. He smiles back at the child.

And just like that, Lelouch understands what happened to his family and knows his job isn't yet finished.

He walks toward Euphie's cheerfully decorated door, glancing up at the glittery welcome sign before pushing it open. This time, he is fully prepared for what is behind it.]

[It's almost pitch black in the Emperor's throne room; the only light comes in an ineffectual glow radiating from the room's abundant gold — the piping and inlay of the royal banners along the back wall, the accents on the throne, and the edging along the red walkway carpet that extends from one wall to the other. Were it anyone but Lelouch at the entrance, the shadowed figure seated on the throne would be impossible to recognize, but his own illusion of control grants him the clarity to see his mother through her illusion of shadows.

When he is quarter way to her she begins to laugh, an unmistakable, mischievous stream that doesn't hitch for breath or change in volume the further Lelouch moves into the room. Her laughter and the muffled beat of his footsteps aren't the only sounds though; echoing around it is a murmur that travels the large, empty space like a whirled breeze, erratic and lost by its own containment.]

[The happy child who had joked with her only a short while ago is nowhere to be found. In his place is a blood-stained boy with cold, unreadable eyes and a distrustful expression. The dark appearance wavers slightly, as he turns at the faint voices -- childlike uncertainty and sadness in his eyes. But it only lasts a moment before his head falls again. When he raises it again, all signs of faltering have vanished from his visage.

He takes the final step toward the throne, his even tone still a child's but devoid of any of the innocence it once had. ]

You're supposed to be dead, Mother. But you're still here.

[The laughter stops at his arrival and is punctuated by a slight shuffling sound as Marianne adjusts her skirts and repostures herself on the throne. The murmur, which quieted as Lelouch spoke, returns with a gasp before restoring itself at an increased tempo. It now playfully ghosts around him; listening carefully, one might pick up on a hint of Marianne's laughter and his own voice now mingled within. But one would have to listen above the sound of Marianne's voice.]

I hope it's not too much of a shock for you, darling. A very dear friend of mine gave me a special gift, that's all, and if I use it wisely then we may never again have to worry about such pesky matters as mortality. Isn't that wonderful? I can be with you forever!

[Anger flashes in his eyes this time, although it carries with it just a hint of hurt.]

It isn't right! Everyone else is gone, and they can't just come back! Why didn't Mother ever say anything?

Oh, does it really matter why? They're all in a much better place now.

Mother could have done something! Then maybe...

Maybe what, sweetheart?

[The former anger fades into nothing again and he shakes his head, a small shiver climbing, unnoticed, over his shoulders..]

... it's too late.

No, no, no, it's not too late at all! Why, we've only just begun. So won't you join your mother? We have a gift for you as well.

[Seems surprised.]

...

Gift... ?

[She laughs and the travelling murmur hushes before mimicing Lelouch, then her.]

That's right. You've done so well already, but with this gift...

[Sighs euphorically.]

[Frowns]

I've only ever wanted one thing from you.

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