IC: Death plot

[thekingsgambit]

[After this fun discovery in the cornfields.

Having further stained his clothes while arranging to Suzaku's quarters in the hospital, Lelouch has since picked up a cleaner set and gone through the effort of maintaining a more presentable appearance. He wastes no time in retrieving the Shinkirou's key from the secluded area where he stores it and some other sensitive data, as well as his notes from the last several days. Securing the item, he quietly slips into Nunnally's room. She remains sleeping soundly, unaware of what events have transpired over the course of this day. His throat grows raw and he swallows once before closing the door again and walking out of the cabin.]

Comments

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Voice gradually becoming more strangled throughout his protests, as the futility of it all sinks in.]

Elder sister, release me... I have to bring them back! I have to bring Suzaku back!

[ascendthethorns]

Not like this.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[At least, they're making good time on reaching that cabin, possibly because she is doing all the work.

He wrenches to the side to give her a heated glare, all manner of exhaustion evident in the move.]

... So you will do nothing.

[ascendthethorns]

No. I intend to reduce my patrols and devote myself to identifying the source of the disruption in response to this development. You will assist me, which means you are to refrain from any action that could find you adding your corpse — or any others — to the pile.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

We don't have time! Should Sayre decide she favors this alternative, it could become permanent.

[ascendthethorns]

Sayre will not favour it; her ability to claim morality hinges too much on impermanence.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

If she cared for her morality, she would have already intervened. I am not waiting for her decision! If we want results, we need the Shinkirou's power! Keep me here and the rest of their blood will be on your hands!

[ascendthethorns]

Deaths are not restricted to the cornfields, Lelouch. Razing them won't prevent further bloodshed, and it won't allow you to avenge Kururugi either. It's probable that whoever claimed his life has already moved elsewhere.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Then I'll make sure there's nowhere they can hide.

[ascendthethorns]

Will you? By all means tell me what you intend to do in order to reach that end. Demolish each and every building? Sink the ship, burn the hay bales? Level the silo and gut Marcy? Flood the underground labs? What, if anything, pray tell, is your limit?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Snaps his head back away from her, shaking with rage.]

Whatever it takes! I will find the one who did this and I will force them to fix it.

[ascendthethorns]

[Actually stops moving and lets go of him, pushing him forward in a move that speaks her disgust.]

Who will be burdened with the reparations for the inevitable damage you'll cause? Hmm? Will it be Kururugi, once recovered? Or will Nunnally again be left to bear the consequences of your actions, because you've retreated beneath your cloak of necessity and sin?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Stumbles from the sudden release, just barely keeping himself from hitting the ground. Her words further halt his fall, bringing half-up in a sharp jerk, as his breath snags in his throat.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[ascendthethorns]

There is no justifying such a blindly destructive course; for you, however, that only means you'll refuse to face its consequences. So I ask, what will come after the execution of this strategy?

[beat]

Answer the question.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Breathing harder and trying to straighten up, staring at the key, which has been clenched in his hand this entire time. All he can see is that bloody body again, that symbol of his inability to ever lead the kind of life Nunnally wishes, even here. That cycle of death that had finally reached the one who had helped orchestrate it so many times and yet remained immune to its gasp.]

... It... won't be her burden.

[ascendthethorns]

Then whose will it be?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[... Closing his eyes tightly and clutching the key, as he brings it to his forehead. His voice becomes thin and tight.]

I need... to do this.

[Suzaku.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Sighs.]

So selfish impulse seeks to prevail...

[Lets the thought hang as she considers her approach; within moments, she's moved up behind him and cupped her hand over his, reaching to loop a finger through the keyring he holds.]

I will not stand for it; will you?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Looks over at her. His breath has gotten choppier and his eyes wild. Still, he lets her words sink in. Selfish. Always selfish. Even in claiming Suzaku in the first place. Perhaps this was just another reckoning for the tendency he could never curb, no matter how many times he sought to temper it. And now those closest to him would suffer again. If only he could get those horrible visions out of his head...

He takes another breath that almost could be a rough sob

... and then loosens his hold on the key.]

[ascendthethorns]

[Curls her finger around the ring, but doesn't remove her hand.]

Understand that this isn't concession, it's an agreement to reach a resolution that won't be tainted by regret.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Manages to find the strength to nod.]

Ah...

[ascendthethorns]

[Remains still for a while, then wraps her arm around him again. This time, though, she pulls him closer and rests her head against the back of his own. When she speaks soon after making this gesture, there's relief clear in her voice — the kind that follows an exhaustion of doubt — and an air of jest about her words.]

Thank you for hearing reason. I wasn't quite endeared to the thought of engaging you in yet another battle of will.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah, so... you finally admit it... ?

[He tries to laugh weakly at the taunt, but ends up practically sinking into the hold, the feeling almost forgotten from a childhood of often finding comfort in these same arms. His hair fans forward to cover his eyes, as the furious shaking from before becomes more tentative. It's too much. Losing again... It's just too much.]

[ascendthethorns]

[At last, she removes her hand from his and takes the key; it jingles lightly against its ring as Cornelia wraps that arm around Lelouch as well, so she can better support him.]

Finally...? It seems I need to call you on your stubborness more often, if that was an unexpected admission.