Assembly [Both Schools]

[musicalee]

By Sunday morning the translation system was back online. Signs were readable to everyone and each screen ordered students to the Battle Arena for 12 noon. Prefects were sent out to make sure no one leaves the campus until that time and then gathered up everyone to take to the battle arena.

Once everyone was seated, the prefects taking up the first two rows, the staff appeared. All of them looked grim; even Recette who's usually cheery face was gone, Dolorosa had an expression usually worn by Santana. As they came to stand in a row in front of the students, it was Dunleavy that stepped forward.

"As I am sure you are all aware, yesterday there was an attack on the Exaclan system and the city of Rakuen itself. I first would like to apologise for the inconvenience and the amount of time it took to get the system working again. Luckily there was no permanent damage."

That was the easy bit, Lee blinked, they hadn't had any sleep at all, working until the early hours to help repair the system. Considering the six of them did not share a common language, it had been a difficult process. The next bit was harder; she hated punishing people. She always felt like she had no right to. But she did, she had taken on that right and responsibility when she became mayor and this was a serious attack.

Perhaps they had been too soft with them, experimentation and trying to cheat was one thing. But this was an entirely different category.

"We have, of course discovered the perpetrators of this crime." She nodded, sending Santana and Nanami to collect Suzaku Kururugi and Lelouch vi Britannia from the stands. They were both prefects which was disappointing. Lee would have hoped they would know better.

"Lelouch vi Britannia and Suzaku Kururugi were both found to be the ones that began the attack." Though she had a feeling she knew which one had had the idea. The other didn't seem intelligent enough.

At least they were responsible for each others wrong doings, and so Lee didn't have to punish an innocent.

"You have both been found guilty of attacking the city of Rakuen." She paused, because giving the accused a chance to speak was considered civilised in most worlds and cultures.

Comments

2/4

[musicalee]

After Lelouch had said his piece, which made no difference in the long run. Dunleavy spoke again. "Lelouch vi Britannia you shall take the punishment of Suzaku Kururugi. It will last for fifteen minutes and silence is expected from everyone during that time." With that Lelouch was hit by a high level punishment.

Fifteen minutes was an incredibly long time, longer still for Lelouch. Lee felt guilty even though she knew he deserved it, he had seemed like such a polite young man.

However Lee was not known for her good judgement of people. When it was over she gave him a moment to stand before speaking again. "Suzaku Kururugi shall take the punishment of Lelouch vi Britannia. It will last for fifteen minutes and silence is expected from everyone during that time." The same level of penalty was sent towards Suzaku. When it was finally over she let the boy stand but did not send them back to their seats.

3/4

[musicalee]

Dunleavy turned to a box that she had brought to the battle arena. Opening it she brought out a robotic rabbit, currently not working at all and a PDA. "The third culprit of the attack seems to have been this... rabbit. I ask that the owner or person who sent this rabbit to attack the city of Rakuen own up now, otherwise I shall assume the... rabbit acted on it's own devices and destroy it."

Of course that was ridiculous, but although Dunleavy knew who it belonged it, she wasn't sure it was her that had sent it to attack the mansion. And though Lee had her suspicions, she wasn't going to accuse anyone without proof. Which she didn't have.

So instead she held up the rabbit, and waited.

[fracturedsoul]

Dirk didn't speak up or move a muscle during Lelouch and Suzaku's punishments. Seeing that they were being punished in one another's stead, he was just glad he hadn't been caught, even though he knew Jake could take it.

Ah, and then the other shoe dropped. No wonder Lil Seb hadn't returned. Dirk bit his lip and shifted his eyes over to Jane.

He really hoped she wouldn't say anything.

sorry bro, jane confesses.

[overbiterestart]

She couldn't bear to watch this go on any longer. She had a decision to make, a confident decision perhaps. She didn't want Seb to be destroyed. That was a gift to her, one of her good pals!

After the punishments had been dealt, and everyone was left silent. Jane spoke up. "It isn't my place to say what happened, because I don't know. It was likely a wire malfunction! Seb probably didn't mean it!"

Jane was panicked. Something so precious to her, attack people? There was no way! "He's mine. Let me take responsibility for his actions. I'm sorry."

4/4

[musicalee]

Once that was dealt with she looked out at the see of faces. Though a fifteen minute penalty was severe, the crime was serious and so after much discussion once they had regained the ability to understand one another.

"Furthermore Suzaku Kururugi and Lelouch vi Britannia are stripped of all rights for the week of the thirteenth round of this session. Though they may fight if chosen as Players, or be owned as Weapons they shall have no rights and therefore shall be treated as discards effective immediately until the next rest day."

Now that that unpleasant business was attended to it was time to actually announce the next round. "In other news I would like to congratulate Conquest for winning the round, and Cirno especially for her round win. I am sure you will each do wonderfully next round, and we will not have a repeat of this unpleasantness."

The screan turned on behind them and Dunleavy read out the names that showed on the screen.

Conquest

Suzaku Kururugi
Arthur Pendragon
Ein
Jack Noir
Yuka Kazami

Fortitude

Rebecca Harcourt
Dave Strider
Merlin
Juri Arisugawa
Nanami Asagi

((Note that if Dirk confesses he will be added to the punishment of having no rights also, if Jane confesses she will be and if neither of them confess they will not be.))

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

As soon as he realized that they were going to be forced to watch those penalties, Alex pulled up the hood on his jacket. He couldn't watch. It sickened him too much.

He was glad to just move on to the normal proceedings until,

Becca was a player.

Becca was a player.

Becca was a player.

She was going to be so upset. Alex looked over to her, immediately heading to her side and taking her hand in his.

[pencilpremonition]

Becca had curled into a ball on the floor while the punishments were going on. She'd just gotten to her feet again in time to hear the list of players being read out. And her name was the first one.

The colour drained from her face, and since Alex was right there, she turned, trying to wrap her arms around him and hide her face in his chest, already starting to cry.

[ecthelion]

[Finding Weapons this round would be easier than the last one. After all, Ein knew every player on Conquest's list with the exception of Jack Noir.

And barring that, he also wanted to speak with this Lelouch, whose impassioned speech earlier had attracted Ein's attention. The order of Rakuen was not a fair one by any stretch, and according to him, they agreed on that much.]

[moorecowbell]

[Wonderful. She had to go play at being a Rose Bride. Very well; she'd just have to do a better job than... than the real thing, and that couldn't be hard at all. She scans the crowd of Conquest Players. Ein just happens to be closest]

You there! Boy!

["boy" even though he looked to be about her age]

You're one of the Players for our house, right? And you need a weapon, right?

[frozenmemories]

Cirno would have been more proud of her victory if what had just happened did not happen at all. She slumped down in her seat and pulled her knees to her chest as she listened at watched the whole thing, not moving or speaking. She actually had not spoken all day, relying on surprising people with the fact she would fly in their faces if they tried to leave.

She watched the screen curiously when the names were shown and she shook her head and lay her forehead on her knees. Two people she knew and trusted were Players. She frowned, actually considering leaving before she could be seen to try and avoid everything. She knew that meant she'd be a Discard but at the moment, she just wanted to pretend that nothing bad had just happened.

[justaflowergirl]

Yuka strolled over and gave the fairy a reassuring pat on the back.

Or at least, that was what she was trying to do, but the effect was probably somewhat diminished by the pensive look on her own face.

Lelouch and Suzaku... she hadn't had much contact with either of them, although there had been that amusing encounter in the rain. What had happened yesterday had been bad, but did they really deserve this?

On the other hand, they had nearly gotten her drowned. That wasn't something she could forget so easily.

Even more disquieting, however, was Lelouch's speech. She found that there were parts of it that she couldn't really disagree with. But were his actions really consistent with his stated goals? She wasn't convinced, and the discrepancy was deeply concerning in it's own right.

Also, those jokers had nearly gotten her drowned!

[kingofpoisons]

[Day stood looking angry. If you dare to approach her. Conquest students are probably lucky that Dunleavy insisted on handling this matter.]

[savedbyasong]

Shion was sat alone, the day before had been frightening; unable to understand anyone. He felt bad he had upset the small flying girl and was starting to hate the fact he couldn't remember. How many people considered themselves his friends? He wished to be friends with all of them again, but he brought pain to them when he didn't remember the time he had spent with them.

He watched the punishments with a growing sense of horror. Though not being able to understand anyone had been frightening they did not deserve this... He found himself agreeing with the dark haired boys speech. How dare they bring punishment to others when all they wanted was to escape.

He watched though, tears building in his eyes. He had to see, he couldn't avert his eyes from such cruelty and nor should he. He had to see it and remember it, to remember why this place did not deserve to exist.

The loss of rights was also a shock, it was one thing having to bargain and vow to gain rights that should be automatic. But to have them taken away completely, even if only temporarily...

He recognised three names on the list, but made no move to find them. He was running all the information through his head, working out how to deal with it.

[the_stand_cometh]

The Stand was actually only made to dislike this place more seeing this display. He normally fine with humans punishing humans, but this was different. This was overly cruel, and some other creature could have easily enacted this punishment. He might be a little nicer to his weapon this week.

Asagi took that chance to sneak up behind his former weapon and whisper into his ear, "Vow with me?"

[secretlyuseful]

Merlin was shocked at the punishments, he had seen worse of course. He had seen Camelot under Uther and the punishments for magic there. But... Dolorosa seemed like a kindly person and he didn't think the others were particularly cruel, so why this?

He got a bit confused during the calling out of names, and was looking for Arthur whose name had been called out when he realised he didn't have a mark on his hand.

"Oh..."

Re: 4/4

[jurist]

Juri was a little discomfited by the punishments being meted out before her eyes, but she told herself it wasn't her problem. She barely knew either of them, anyway, even if Lelouch had been her Player in the last round. He'd left her to her own devices, mostly—a fact for which she was grateful.

She breathed a little sigh of relief when she heard her name on the list of players—not that being a Weapon had been so bad, but it wasn't her preferred role. Of course, now she'd have to find a Weapon, and she wasn't so certain how to do that. Should she just start asking everyone in sight?

Lelouch's defense

[veepofchess]

His expression was controlled, but inside he was roiling with rage. When he was presented with Nunnally's hair this morning, he knew exactly who had a message for him. He turned toward the gathered students briefly, but then partly back toward the people gathered. As he started to speak, he paced back and forth, using all of his rhetorical skill on this particular event. Those that knew the difference would see more dynamism than the cold, stern Emperor had, but not as over the top as Zero was. "The question I have for you, Dunleavy, Dolorosa, and Day, is if I am being punished today because I have done something wrong, or because I am simply standing against the system we are a part of. A system that routinely allows those that have power to use it against that don't just for their entertainment. And, to further add to this injustice, all of those that are able to do this are people that were just like us, once. Those that seem to have forgotten why they sought their own escape. They have either forgotten, or choose to ignore, any sense of standing up for what is right they may have had. Any goals they may have had for theselves, their friends, or for their worlds seem to be laid to the wayside in favor of the promotion of a puppetmaster's strings.

"So, I am here to state this unequivocally: There is nothing you will do to me, or to Suzaku, no amount of threats that can be made against the innocents I love, that will stop me from sending everyone here, and all of those trapped souls in those towers back to their homes. Kill me, put me through an entire day's worth of the worst pain the six of you combined are capable of inflicting upon me. None of it will stop me. Your tools are powerless. I have sacrificed things far more precious to me than my own life in the pursuit of destroying a corrupt world. There is only one thing that will be made clear by what you are doing today. That you value the integrity of a depraved "game" over the happiness, safety, and well-being of your fellow captives. You do not punish me today. You are placing yourself on a side that will receive no quarter. You punish the hope that so many have that they'll be able to see the people they love back home someday." He simply spread his arms out wide when he finished, as if to give then their cue. He made eye contact with each of the women on the stage when he came to a specific accusation for that particular individual. Santana and Day's enjoyment; Dolorosa's rebellion; Nanami's threats against Nunnally. And he endeavored similarly with the crowd as he talked, but he didn't even come close to Nunnally or anyone near her. So he left it to them.

Their decision hadn't changed. When the punishment hit him, he gave an initial shout from shock of the intensity and fell to his knees. After that one sound, he refused to give the satisfaction of any more. He curled up into himself, squeezing his fists tightly against the stage floor. Slivers under his nails were among the least of his worries. He tried to control his breathing. He bit down onto his first knuckle to keep himself quiet. He tasted copper but he didn't care. Oh, it was agony. Worse than when he'd woken up to find a hole in his chest. Tears came involuntarily down his cheeks, under the shaggy mess of hair he wore.

And then, when it was over, he wiped his mouth with the base of his thumb. He wiped the rest of his face with his sleeve before he finally lifted his head and pushed his hair out of his face. It was hard to keep that cold look on his face as he got back, shakily, to his feet. It was only then that he found Nunnally's eyes. He gave her a slight nod, to tell her he was okay. He just prayed she could stay quiet for Suzaku's punishment, too.

Re: Lelouch's defense

[forthward]

[not happy. that's the gist of Nunnally's feelings right now. she hadn't meant for this to happen, she didn't want to see her brother suffer, but she had still... consented, somewhat, to Nanami's request. but she felt horrible now, and tried to not avoid meeting her brother's eyes. it was difficult, to have to choose sides. again. she was the empress, she couldn't just step aside.

finally she looked away. he wasn't all right. she knew that. she knew that whatever he did, he... didn't do it to harm anyone. she wanted to get out just as well as anyone else. but the ways her brother employed to find the right way wasn't always to her liking.

that's why she'd helped. and that's why she now also wasn't sure what to do. seeing her closest people get punished was difficult enough. she didn't want to watch it at all]

[musicalee]

Dunleavy listened, because it was her job to. But she couldn't help feel that he just liked to think of himself as a hero. If he really cared about helping those around him go home and see the people they loved, then he would be playing to the rules.

They knew how to get out, yet he was attacking the system instead of opening towers...

It didn't change her decision at all.

[swordofzero]

Suzaku said nothing, because Lelouch was saying enough for both of them combined. He wasn't as convinced that they were on the side of good. However he trusted Lelouch, just like zero requiem whatever they did. No matter how much it hurt others, it would all be worth it in the end for Lelouch would bring the system down. Suzaku had no doubt about it.

It made what was happening easier to bear. Lelouch had a plan and Suzaku could take the pain, he could even watch Lelouch's pain if it meant they were closer to achieve their goals. He remained silent through Lelouch's punishment, staring forwards though his hands curled into fists by his sides.

He braced himself when his name was called but it didn't stop him falling a moment later. He remained on one knee, doubled over in pain. His breathing was ragged and he bit through his lip in an effort not to scream.

By the end he had fallen completely, cheeks damp where tears had come involuntarily. Once it was over he stood staring forward again, trying to hide the shaking.

He watched the rest of the assembly impassively and he didn't do more than blink when the next part of their punishment was announced and he came up on the player list. It would make things more complicated but they had probably deserved it.

It remained to be seen whether it was worth it.

Re: Lelouch's defense

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Later- much later, when everyone was leaving the assembly, Alex walks over to Lelouch only long enough to whisper to him, "c-count me in n-next time. I live in pale 1-A right now."

He kept his head straight and his eyes away from Lelouch, busying himself on his PDA, just enough to look fairly natural- the main thing that might give him away is that for those who knew him, he could seem a little too natural.

After the assembly

[justaflowergirl]

Yuka wandered over to Lelouch, absently noting the mark that had already appeared on his hand. He must be linked to someone...

For the moment, at least, she didn't say anything. She just stood and watched, apparently examining his face.

[sword_that_protects]

Aria was off to the side, not having made any friends yet, looking thoroughly confused, yet the idea of pain was not making her react in any noticeable way. None of these names meant anything to her.

[afraid_of_my_shadow]

Alex noticed the girl who looked rather confused and alone. He takes a bit of pity and heads over to her, worrying his hands. "U-uh, h-hello? You're n-new, right?"

[remitter]

Izumi looked around for a moment once the assembly was finished, spotting someone all by themselves. With a smile approached, leaving Asagi to his own devices for the moment, and bowed before her.

"Intrigued. My name is Izumi, and I couldn't help but notice that you're by yourself. Are you a new arrival as well?"