thekingsgambit | [IC:] AUverse

[It's nearing mid-evening at the estate of the Governor-General, where one severely out-of-place prince is fingering the heavy curtains that edge a massive window. The soft glow of the city's nightlife, just starting to stir, masks the dark world that lies in the ruined cities beyond this oasis of civilization and prestige. He knows both worlds entirely too well, along with their protectors. It is not a sight he ever expected to bear witness to again. Maybe that's why he cannot pull himself away from this stark reminder of a course charted in blood. It would be easy enough to explain anyway, a quick line about contemplating the challenges before them or about the providence they were bringing to this land. Either way, his claim is to the duplicity, not the clutching, affectionate arms of his younger sisters, both eager to tell him about their days before launching into another of their playful squabbles for his attention. And while he cannot (or maybe will not) completely keep himself from indulging in their presence, those moments of simple joy, neither will he allow himself to forget that this is wrong.

The worst part is that after almost a week, he knows they are still no closer to figuring a way back. (Or maybe the worst part is that part of him wonders why they still try.)

Maybe that's why...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No. Fulfill the responsibilities set before you, but reconsider basing your approach in the facade. We risk hurting Euphie and Nunnally through it.

That will only confirm their confusion...

Euphie... even in this reality, you and I deny her the acknowledgement she deserves. I intend to do what I can to prevent her from losing that here. In the event that I cannot, I will see that she's not disappointed by the return to normalcy. I can't do that by continuing to lie to her.

[Stares at her for a moment before pushing away from the desk and taking a few steps away.]

... You were never much for performance, especially before her. If I did not already know that, her words last night would have told me otherwise.

What words?

Whatever she may feel about the situation, she is, nonetheless, grateful for the opportunity. Even if we have left her head in a fantastic spin, as she put it.

It is undoubtedly that. A fantastic spin...

[Setting a hand against the wall.]

Still, it cannot be helped. There is little point to only one of us keeping up this ruse. I will make no further alterations.

[Leans back in her chair.]

Just enough so Nunnally may still theorize on the nature of your insanity, I presume...?

[Flinches. Even to Nunnally, his acting couldn't have been that bad.]

Did she actually use that term?

I'll leave that for you to wonder.

Just what I need.

And what of your knights? Will you make any efforts to appease their questioning?

The stakes are different with them. No.

That is a matter of interpretation.

[Pauses]

What happens when we return, elder sister? We have no reason to believe we won't, eventually. This all vanishes, you realize.

[Rests a hand on her stack of papers.]

I'm leaving correspondence. If you're concerned about your own impact then I suggest you do the same, on the chance that our alternates are substituting for us as well.

[Actually laughs at this.]

You are going to leave messages for an alternate? No wonder the others are able to spot the differences.

[Still, he has to admit the idea is brilliant, an ideal way of instructing the potential true bearer of this identity to continue the slight changes that are being carried out. Though, there is also the matter of whether they would believe themselves. But Cornelia has no doubt thought of some manner of proof for that. And wielding influence over oneself, even a self they will never meet, would be an entirely different matter than wielding influence over another. Ah, it would be perfect.]

You will refrain from remarking on the absurdity of the matter, else I divulge a certain six-step plan to communicate with whatever force possesses you.

[Laughs again but more haltingly.]

Six steps? She has planned this entirely too much. I am going to find her something else to focus on once I leave here.

They are enjoying themselves despite their confusion. And it's only a matter of time before they face their next battle.

Both of them? Perhaps I should indulge their wishes then.

Hmn. Perhaps.

Nunnally will appreciate the jest, I am sure.

[Taps a finger on the wall after a moment.]

How will you convince... yourself?

Through the use of encoded personal information, supplemented with fingerprints and photographs in case she stubbornly reasons away the other evidence.

I'm undecided on revealing my motivations.

I think asking her to believe just this will be pushing her suspension of disbelief far enough.

... Though, I suppose it will keep them from projecting their confusion onto the ones who discuss this incident. As you said, Nunnally and Euphemia should not be further undermined.