[video] ♚ 004

[zerointegrity]

Note:This post is a reaction to Schneizel's intro post

[It is roughly mid-day when the light at the top of his Dreamberry comes on. The young emperor and his accomplice are lounging in his study, discussing this and that - the recent acquisition of memory cards, the fog that rolled through last week, a few exchanges they'd each had with important

Comments

1/idk

[aevitas]

[C.C., ever calmly stating facts and whatnot, seems nonplused as she sits beside the Prince, calmly flipping through a magazine while speaking---and then.

Oh. It was a matter of time before he noticed. She was planning on telling him, really, but after her dream and Suzaku's growing distance between what was their three-person alliance, she felt it best to space it. Even C.C. had decorum.

Her eyes widen a bit at that shout, Lelouch, as she blinks up at him]

2/2

[aevitas]

[the first thing she does is quietly set her book down. then, very slowly, begins to inch to bridge the distance between them on the couch. then--..quietly bends down to turn off the Dreamberry.]

I told you that this place doesn't heed our wishes. Just as much as adhere to your plans. [Lelouch had always had a savage temper, quiet, biding like a coiled snake ready to strike, usually hidden by almost perfect masks. A typical tantrum. She raises her hand to gently press cool fingers to his cheek, wiping the sweat there as she holds her hand to the side of his face, moving his head so that he's looking at her, cradling it as she stares into wide, furious, uncertain eyes (long ago she remembers that same look when playing against his older brother, that fear of defeat) her other gently folded over his tightly clenched hands]

You're going to do just what he wants if you keep acting like this. Is that what you want? Calm down first.

[zerointegrity]

[A fist remains clenched underneath her hand and, despite the fact that she has moved his face so that he was looking at her, his eyes are not making contact. His other hand settles on top of hers, resting on his cheek a brief second, curling his thin fingers around hers and and slowly bringing her hand down to his side.

A deep breath. And another.]

It will take more than a few minutes for me to calm down. Just give me time, allow me to act accordingly in the privacy of my own home and express the emotions I need to before having to deal with him face to face.

What I want is for the all of the cards to remain in my hand.

[Another deep breath and a pause... His brow creases and his eyes begin to narrow as a sudden realization hits him.]

You knew about this, didn't you? Have you spoken with him?

[aevitas]

[she can't help but have her lips twitch at that. he's unwittingly calming down simply by taking a breath and acknowledging her touch. she glances at him warily, gold eyes on his]

Briefly. Through voice. I wanted to see what time he was from without asking him directly. If he learns that, it could prove problematic.

[ reaction ] || [ 1/2 ]

[keptdown]

[ oh

oh he so called it

he so fucking called this. he can't even hear Lelouch, and he knows what he's pissed about. maybe it's better to crawl away and warn Madoka and Schneizel to keep their heads down so Lelouch doesn't see them outside a window or something... QQ ]

[ video ] || [ 2/2 ]

[keptdown]

[ regardless... ]

Hey, Lelouch, no one can hear you, you know. [ just so you know. in case you didn't already. ]

[video]

[zerointegrity]

[Horrified, he hears Suzaku's voice coming from the floor and his eyes once again grow wide as he realizes his Dreamberry video has been turned on. Thankfully, it seems, the Gods have smiled down on him just a bit and hit the mute button before his short tantrum.

He steps around the coffee table and picks up the small device, not even attempting to put on a smiling mask at this point, (if Suzaku saw his entire display just now), and looks at the camera.

Un-mute.]

I had no idea. My, that's terribly unfortunate.

[video]

[keptdown]

Yeah. I'm sure it's unfortunate. [ sarcasm at a grand moment. he's not holding back anymore. ]

I can only assume you've realized that Schneizel is here.

[video]

[zerointegrity]

[We'll not question anything if you'll not question how a young man throwing a tantrum can so quickly pick up the pieces and put on such a convincing smile.]

I'll be fine. There are things that happen that just catch you off guard and, even though you'd rather they not, those natural reactions just slip out despite your best efforts to stop them.

[video]

[zerointegrity]

[A slight laugh]

It's not that I didn't expect it, more that I was hoping it would never happen. But, there's nothing I can do now but adjust to the situation and get on with my life, I suppose.

[And he raises an eyebrow at the bit of humor]

A yeti? Are you speaking from personal experiences?

[unposted] 1/2

[maskmastery]

[He'd known his little brother - his dear, wayward youngest brother - would not be happy to see him. They were opponents, after all, enemies, and this day was surely supposed to have ended with one of them dead.

And as enemies, he could very well take some delight in the scene shown, because there's little question of what Lelouch is raging about. But instead, he is sombre, solemn, a sigh drawing his shoulders taut for a moment.

Briefly, he debates how to proceed. He could go without saying a thing, but he didn't want to leave to chance the possibility of meeting - especially with his lodgings being where they are. And besides, silence would likely only serve to stir his brother's paranoia even more.

And they couldn't have that, could they?]

[video]

[maskmastery]

Lelouch.

[His expression is that infallible smile, but there's sadness weighing his brow, making the expression look almost remorseful. As if it's a shame, that this is happening, that he's seeing it. A rueful, even mournful, humour colours his voice, resigned.]

You really haven't changed a bit, have you?

[video] 1/2

[zerointegrity]

[Enough time passed for Lelouch to catch his breath, retrieve his Dreamberry, and return to his seat on the sofa beside C.C. before his little device rings. Extremely aggravated, he stares at the blinking light for several moments with no intention of answering it. He is, after all, in no mood to speak with anybody.

However, the Dreamberry (as Lelouch has learned during his time spent in Somarium) has a mind of its own and decides to answer the call regardless of whether or not Lelouch wants to answer it.

"Lelouch"

And his eyes snap open, turning to mouth to C.C. "What in the hell does he think he's doing"]

[video] 2/2

[zerointegrity]

[Taking in a deep breath, Lelouch reaches for the wretched device and turns the camera toward him. The mask he puts on for his brother is a flawless smile, laced with bitterness and sarcasm - quite the change from the anger he displayed, his true emotions, moments ago.]

Schneizel, I was wondering when Somarium would take you from Britannia and make you one of its residents.

[A raised eyebrow]

I haven't changed a bit? My dear brother, you need to take a longer look at me than just 30 seconds of a terribly embarrassing outburst before you say such a thing. Everybody has moments where they make mistakes and let their emotions get the best of them.

[spectaculaire]

L-Lelouch-san!?

[zerointegrity]

[Not that he dislikes Tamaki, but his face is not particularly one he wants to see after realizing his beloved older brother is in Somarium. Lelouch sighs and picks up the Dreamberry]

Ah, Tamaki, is there a problem?

[spectaculaire]

No-That's actually what I wanted to ask you. Are you all right? You seemed...upset. [understatement of the year.]

[zerointegrity]

A bit upset, yes, but nothing that warranted such a strong reaction. I simply let my emotions get the best of me... Something that I'm quite embarrassed about.