We were the kings and queens of promise

And it wouldn't hurt you to be more responsible either, Clovis.

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[Chuckles and motions her away.]

Come on, elder sister, elder brother Clovis needs to stop stalling or he'll be late.

[Gives Clovis a pointed look.]

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[Smiles unabashedly.]

It is always so considerate of you to keep an eye out for me, Lelouch.

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[Before Lelouch can deliver his less genial retort, he and Cornelia find themselves back in the same vast hallway.]

He should get one of his attendants to manage these things for him.

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[Brushes a flower from the centre of Lelouch's forehead.]

They've tried, but he prefers to manage them himself, perhaps because he alone defines "manage" so loosely. He does mean well, though...

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I don't think elder brother's definition is accurate at all. But at least Mother's painting is looking nice.

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Mm, it does.

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She really likes looking at gardens. Nunnally too.

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Euphie as well. I sometimes wonder if the three of them would choose to never leave the gardens if offered the chance.

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Oh, Euphie! She said she wanted to show me something today. We have to see her before we get to the surprise.

[Leading around a corner more briskly.]

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[As they turn the corner, the walls are replaced by a thick forest and the floor beneath their feet is mud instead; still sparing no consideration toward the change, the siblings start to navigate the familiar path through the woods to the artificial river behind them, fern and plantain leaves tickling their ankles along the way. When finally the trees begin to thin and let the bright noon sun shine down on them, the pair quicken their steps to a near-run. Soon, they can hear the first playful cries of their little sister, who's splashing about up ahead in the calm, shallow waters of the riverbed.]

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[Running toward her immediately but stopping at the edge of the water.]

Euphie! You're going to get dirty out there.

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Oh, Lelouch!

[Giggles.]

It's okay, I think. One of mother's servants says she'll teach me how to use the washing machines later, so I thought— I thought as long as I'm cleaning my clothes myself, I thought it'd be all right to get just a little dirty. And I've always wanted to play here, ever since big brother Oscar told me he saw a family of turtles! So. Um. So you'll come play too, right? Big sister Cornelia, you as well? Please~?

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[Is still peering down at the water, unsure.]

... Turtles?

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I'm happy just to watch. Go on, Lelouch. Join her.

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All right, big sister.

And mhmm, turtles! He said most of them were babies but one of them was this big [showing with her hands IT WOULD INDEED BE A BIG TURTLE] and I'd really like to meet him. It'd be much~ easier to find him if you'd help me.

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[Giving Cornelia an anxious look but still not budging from his spot.]

What she finds it and it's a biting turtle?

[Turning back to Euphie.]

It's better to leave them alone, or we'll end up carrying Euphie home.

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Lelouch! I'm not going to bother him, I just want to meet him and maybe get to know him a little. We're neighbours after all, and I don't think Oscar was very kind to him, so I'd like to apologize too.

[Coming out of the water and taking Lelouch by the hands, trying to pull him into the water with her.]

And when we find him, I can introduce him to my favourite brother, and if it goes well then maybe one day we can bring Nunnally along with us so she can meet him too — oh, if big sister Cornelia wouldn't mind coming back with us, so she can be sure~ we're kept out of trouble?

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[... looking less supportive of the idea. Biting turtles.]

You promise to be at your most careful?

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I promise twice and thrice over!

[Still tugging.]

Come on, Lelouch!

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[Still looking less than keen on the idea but finally letting her pull him in with a big sigh.]

I still think it's silly. How are we supposed to apologize to a turtle? They can't understand us.

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That's what you said about Lady Bernadette's cats too, and Lord Darlton's dogs, and the mice they found in the basement at Pisces, but I've been able to talk to all of them. Esquire especially is very artic...u..., articulate.

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Ah, articulate.

[Laughs a little.]

Euphie's picking up some new words.

And I've never heard any of them so that means they only talk to you. I wonder why that is.

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Maybe it's because they know I'll listen. A lot of people here aren't the best at listening, and... hey Lelouch, where do you think's a good place for turtles to live? I, um, don't know where I should start looking.

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