IC: Anniversary

[thekingsgambit]

[It's morning in the garden and the air is still slightly chill from the recently departed night. But such things are of little consequence to the young man who rests on his knees by the largest patch of lilies, recalling another day in a garden considerably larger than this one and the jubilant companion that raced ahead of him -- through the paths of flowers, calling his name excitedly in her bubbly voice and mock-pouting when his attempts to keep up with her were frequently hampered by his own exhausted breaths. Then, another day, when it was her struggling to catch her breath, the flowered paths at her side now endless puddles of red, dark petals of the color staining her lily-white dress -- And again, she calls his name, eagerly encouraging him one last time to join her game.

The recollection is simpler than the dreams that brought him here, fantasies of them working together to forge something pure, pure and not wrenched from the bloody tatters of a bitter recovery. Something that wouldn't have been paid for by a litany of names stretching onto forever -- he had made it a point then to learn every single one of them. One should always know the exact cost of an exchange. Oh how that child that had teased him by the flowers, that woman that had beamed at him in the darkened headquarters of her precious gift to the Japanese (to the world) would have hated the entire act.

He reaches for one of the lily's fragile petals (yes it is fitting that this had been the flower she waited at those many years ago when things were still fresh and full of possibility). His eyes lower, no longer focusing on the flower but instead losing himself to his memories.]

And what now, Euphie? Would you manage a smile for the broken world I have laid at the lap of Nunnally and all the others who would claim it? It is not how you would have done it of course, but... I have never had your gentle touch. Nunnally does. You know it too. Even with everything I have done to her, bloodying her hands just as I bloodied yours, forcing her to claim each death as her own... she is still your sister. Her hands are more capable of helping to shape the world you saw than mine ever were. Just as I will always be the destroyer, you two will always be the true creators, architects of a future that I could only ever barely glimpse.

But is it enough? Even if it is accepted by our world, I wonder if it would be accepted by you. Or would you still the shadows of what could have been? I admit, I have long blinded myself from them. Perhaps, you would find some hope in knowing that those possibilities are now in the hands of the one who could always see. It is the type of simple poetry that you once cherished. Ah, Euphie?

Comments

[ascendthethorns]

You don't like it very much though.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

I don't like the necessity of having them, but I respect the skill that goes into their operation. I am familiar with many of their pilots.

[ascendthethorns]

It's not the same.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Hmmm...]

What do you mean?

[ascendthethorns]

You don't understand what makes them great either.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Ah, how would you describe their attributes?

[ascendthethorns]

They're going to end the war because nothing else can.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[.................. sob.]

Is that why you want to join them?

[ascendthethorns]

I want to make Britannia better too. It's hard when everyone keeps fighting though, and I know they can't stop.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Nods and glances back at Shinkirou.]

The war will end when someone wins.

[ascendthethorns]

Father, Lady Marianne, and Lords Bismark and Darlton are all very brave. They fought for Britannia even after they were betrayed. I'm going to be like them and fight for the world even if it doesn't like us very much.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Knows this piece of the history at least. But so many other unexpected revelations in that statement. Shakes his head a bit, somewhat dazed by the whole thing.]

... It is an impressive goal. Not many would consider it fighting for the world though. You have had some insightful influences, your highness.

[ascendthethorns]

Elder brother Schneizel said it first... I just agreed with him.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Even at that age...]

I see.

[Reaching over to tap some interface on the wall, which causes the seat to slide out of Shinkirou's back. He holds out out the key for her.]

It will be easier to see the inside once it is lit. It will not turn on without a few additional commands though so that should not be a problem. Anyway, I will be there with you.

[ascendthethorns]

[Taaaaaakes, but:]

May I call Lady Marianne first?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Oh yes... that question.]

Ah, unfortunately we have been having some trouble with our communications lately. We can receive incoming message, but we have been unable to send our own. I apologize for the inconvenience, your highness.

[ascendthethorns]

[Hands key back.]

Then no thank you.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

... Perhaps the Lancelot's pilot will be able to show you then. He has a true affinity for his machine.

I can, however, tell you something unique about this one.

[ascendthethorns]

It's not the same without Lady Marianne... but I suppose you can tell me about your Knightmare Frame.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Not the same?

[ascendthethorns]

I thought it would be all right. It's not though. I want to learn from her.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

... I apologize. I did not mean to make you think something was wrong with your path.

[ascendthethorns]

[Puts her hand on the Shinkirou's leg.]

Lady Marianne talks about them with a lot of hope. Mother says she's as hopeful of them as she is for her new baby, which is a lot. She's really happy now, but you aren't. These Knightmares make you sad, too.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Trying to negotiate Marianne's hope for Knightmares with everything else he knows now. Further trying to negotiate it with her feelings for him -- and later Nunnally -- which he had never thought to question until that day in Kamine. In times of more clarity, he had accepted that, in her own way -- a way not too different from that of her wayward son -- Marianne had done everything she could to make a better world for her family. The problem was that she too failed to understand that human element. But that she had loved them... he knew it to be true. As fiercely as he loves Nunnally. Yes, in her mania, Marianne had held as much hope as anyone, for those she loved, for even a world that she saw as suffering and lost.

He steps back, temporarily cool, overcome by the return of realizations and for once answers his not-so older sister with sincerity.]

... they make me remember.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[He looks at her again.]

But your reasons are different. I suppose I just never considered them in such a way. Not for a while anyway.