[Backdated to the day of the wyrm fight and the days afterward]

[veepofchess]

Characters: Lelouch vi Britannia, the Britannian Empire, Suzaku, Nanami, and anyone else wanting to harass Lelouch shortly after the monster fight was over.
Format: Prose preferred, will match
This log is: Open for one thread, three others are closed
Location: Prefect's dorm, Arena tower, and in Fortitude's cafeteria
Summary: ITP: Lance handles a few thread obligations at once:
One, Lelouch and Suzaku explore the tower after the wyrm is killed.
Two, Lelouch and Britannia have a heart to heart.
Three, Lelouch needs to pick Nanami's brain.
Fourth, there is an opportunity for Fortitude students to come hang out and get some CR with your prefect.
Warnings: Manipulations imminent.

Arena Tower
Lelouch didn't delay when the monster had been defeated. He collected Suzaku, and led him into the tower. The weapons in the bottom floor caught his attention first. He stepped up to them and took up a rifle. He messed with the mechanism briefly before he seemed prepared to move on. You'll be leading the way, right Suzaku?

Prefect's Headquarters: Lelouch's room
Following the battle, and the exploration of the tower, Lelouch needed rest. Whatever his own mind would allow, anyway. He knew what steps would soon follow, but he needed more information. He needed to talk with Nanami. But that would wait until his mind was clear again. He could not deal with her in any less than prime condition.

Prefect's Headquaters: Nanami's room - The day after
Lelouch needed to collect on a debt, and now was as good a time as any. He left his room and walked over to Nanami's, with a few questions ready for her.

Fortitude Cafeteria - Later in the week
He had a sour look on his face as Lelouch looked over the options before him. He didn't feel right, and looking at the options before him just made his stomach turn in protest. He supposed he was going to have to cook something later. Cooking for one was a hassle. He supposed he'd take some over to Conquest later.

For now, he picked up a pear and a bottle of water before settling in at a table. He made a mental note to check in on Britannia later. She was worthy of that much at least. He'd be a liar if he said he wasn't enjoying the break from her "protection".

Comments

[swordofzero]

Suzaku, still running off adrenaline from the battle and still holding Lelouch's sword followed him to the tower, he blinked at the weapons lying around. He recognised a couple, had pulled them out of people, and that made him feel uneasy.

He led the way up the stairs, wary in case there were any more creatures.

[veepofchess]

Lelouch didn't seem to have a reaction to any of the weapons, and moved on right behind Suzaku. He took in all of the details, even though they weren't many. He was prepared for anything, and kept the sights of the rifle trained across the tower at the higher portion of the stairs so that if anything did come at them, he would be ready.

[swordofzero]

Suzaku moved up the stairs, the next floor was much the same, full of weapons. He glanced at Lelouch, "I recognise some of these."

[veepofchess]

Lelouch nodded in response. "Yes, as do I. I suppose that answers what happens to people when they disappear." But he seems to have no issue using what could be a previous resident of this city sealed within their weapon.

[swordofzero]

"I guess..." Suzaku on the other hand had many issues with the idea that these could be trapped residents, people he had known and spoken to. He didn't say anything though, just led the way silently. Many more floors of the same followed.

[veepofchess]

Lelouch lagged behind by a flight or two by the time they reached the top floor. He strapped the rifle across his torso and put his hands on his knees to catch his breath once he'd reached the top. No matter how determined he was, five flights of stairs at a run was more than he could deal with. But he looked around as he panted, taking in their new surroundings. One-way mirrors, headed outward? Interesting. He walked over to a window sill, and took in the view. From here he could see nearly the entire island.

After another moment, and he had pulled himself together again, he turned toward the panels. "Two more panels," he told Suzaku. "They appear to function the same as the others."

[swordofzero]

Suzaku waited patiently for Lelouch to catch his breath again looking around himself. The view was impressive, he could see the entire city, including the other five towers. He assumed the goal was to open all of them. He looked at the panels. "Only two this time," he went over to look closer.

[veepofchess]

Lelouch found himself on the opposite side of the panels from Suzaku. He lifted his hand, and gave his knight a look that clearly communicated what he intended to do. It was another risk. But after they'd come so far...

[swordofzero]

Suzaku frowned but nodded, it was a risk but they had come this far and risks were sometimes necessary. He stood waiting, sword still held at his side, ready in case this summoned another creature.

hihi

[effortless]

With another bout of illness soon to disable her, Nanami wasn't in the best shape, even for her. Nevertheless, she looked up from her book as he walked in.

"Good morning, Lelouch."

Re: hihi

[veepofchess]

He only gave her a nod as a greeting back. He clearly had things on his mind. "As you can see, I've been making some progress in my mission." He helped himself to a seat, and crossed his legs at the knees and leaned to one side, as he tended to do.

[effortless]

"I did notice," She placed her book down, instead. This was to be a meeting of business, then. "I suppose you are here for information?"

[veepofchess]

"I am." He smoothed out the front of his shirt. "Did your group of residents confront the monsters that no doubt inhabit all of these towers?"

[effortless]

"We did. Wala wasn't first, for us... But the actual process was similar."

[veepofchess]

"Would you tell me in detail about the others in the other towers?" One would expect to be ready to take notes about these things. But he didn't need to. It'd all get filed away into his memory with no trouble.

[effortless]

"I would not," was her simple answer. "They are not particularly unpredictable... I will tell you about them in general terms. There are six, representing each element. You must face each of them separately, or risk ... well. Let us not speak of that. Relatedly, there are two others, though they do not need to be killed in order to progress."

She paused, seemingly to ponder what else she might add.

[veepofchess]

"Oh? I would have expected you to be more forthcoming, what with our arrangement and all," he shrugged. "But what would the risk be of releasing all of the monsters at once?"

[effortless]

"I don't see a point in being forthcoming about information you can obtain so easily by yourself," she picked her book back up, and leafed idly through the pages. "Why don't you try it, and find out?"

[countryofassholes]

[When it becomes apparent that Lelouch isn't interested in answering his phone, Britannia finally loses her patience. (To be fair, she lasted about half an hour.)

Snapping her PDA shut, she straightens herself from against the wall next to the Fortitude Prefect's HQ and starts circling the building, picking up some small pebbles along the way. The smile on her face is content and polite as always, but there's something fiercely angry in her eyes as she finally comes to a stop underneath a window she knows belongs to her Emperor.

Now having a good handful of rocks, she calmly selects one and lobs it at the window, remembering at the last moment to pull her strength so that it doesn't shatter the glass.]

[veepofchess]

[Just when he thought she'd finally given up trying to call him, he heard the whack of the pebbles on the window. He rolled over and looked out the window at her. He glared, but got up. He'd make her happy, for now.

He pulled out his PDA and sent her a message reading: "On my way down." He made himself look presentable again, and made his way downstairs.]

What is it? [He doesn't look pissed off, he's just got his general neutral bored scowl going on. Make it quick, Britannia, he hurts.]

[countryofassholes]

[Things don't happen when you give up, Lelouch. You of all people should know that~]

[The look she gives Lelouch in reply is perfectly innocent as she checks her PDA when it gives a ping. Her smile widens a fraction, even as her eyes narrow and she makes her way back to the entrance, carelessly tossing the stones she'd gathered on the way off to the side.

Naturally, she's there before he opens the door and smiles when she seems him obviously in pain.] I want to talk about your future plans.

[veepofchess]

[His expression really doesn't change.] And what do you know about my plans?

[countryofassholes]

Well... I was wondering if we could reach a compromise.

[veepofchess]

[Catches that charm out of the corner of his eye.] I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific. I'm still at an chronological disadvantage.

[countryofassholes]

Hm? [She follows his gaze to her charm bracelet.] Oh, this? [And then hello temperature drop.]

This has nothing to do with it. It's actually pretty worthless.

[veepofchess]

[He makes note of that, but it doesn't particularly change his perspective on this conversation.] I'm not in the mood for games, Britannia. Would you care to elaborate?

[countryofassholes]

[When is Lelouch ever in the mood for games?]

Destroying my empire. [She allows him a moment to work that through, since he seems a bit slow today, before continuing.] You should reconsider.

[veepofchess]

[And he's getting more obviously annoyed.] Is there a reason for your sudden sense of self-preservation?

[countryofassholes]

[She's quiet for a moment, debating whether or not to tell him the truth. That watching England taking care of America so... lovingly has irritated the shit out of her. Unwittingly, her eyes flicker towards the charm again.]

Do I need a reason to not want to be weak again?

[veepofchess]

You are conflating your size with your power. I still don't know what the basis of your complaint is.

[countryofassholes]

In this instance, they are the same. [There's a pause, then a slightly reprimanding look in her gaze.] I assumed that of all my princes, you would understand the desire to never be weak the most.

[veepofchess]

My goal has nothing to do with my personal strength or weakness. It is about being alive. I am dead while I live under the power of another. And I will create the peaceful world Nunnally wants. Do not compare me to the royals and Emperors that came before me. I am nothing like them. [He spits out those last words as if the comparison is a disgusting thing.]