rakuen | On the platform: New characters and old ones that want to come and meet them!

As you all crowd onto the platform with your new and still bizarre mix of faces, expressions, clothing and wild theories, you are met by two girls and a boy. All three are in uniforms that would match if not for the colour differences - skirts and trousers, waistcoats, and light summer shirts that seem totally inappropriate for the thin layer of melting slush coating the station platform. Each has a beret with a crest - one girl's shows a sword, the other two have a shield.

At the first lull in the chatter, the shorter girl speaks up, her soft voice somehow cutting over you.

"Excuse me,"

She explains, in precise, quiet sentences, that the three of them are prefects, representing the two schools in Rakuen. Nanami of Fortitude, she says, placing a hand on her own collarbone, with her fellow prefect Lelouch, and Santana of Conquest, here pointing to the boy and the taller girl she's leaning against. The girl nods, looking fairly bored, whilst the boy doesn't appear to be paying much attention.

"We will be sorting you now. When we say your name, please move quickly and quietly to whoever called you."

"Yeah," Santana interrupts, "Then we can go back to the dorms. This'd better be the last lot we get in winter, seriously."

They separate, moving to stand several metres apart, and both girls pull a list from their waistcoat pocket. Alternating, they start to read out your names.

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Besides your "accident," not really. [The comment is made lightly, humorous even in tone as they make their way over. It's not until they reach that tiny secluded corner, away from the rest of the crowd that she turns to face him, face as pleasant as ever.]

Are you Zero?

[His face remains inscrutable for a moment. But then he smirks] The Emperor really did keep you in the dark.

[That's a yes. With a sigh, Britannia shrugs.]

Once they learn about me, they think I'm either a weakness or a crutch. The proud ones don't want to depend on me to defeat the other personifications of countries while the shortsighted ones think if I'm killed, it'll put the empire in danger. Your father was the former. [She has no problems admitting this to Lelouch because A) if anyone can understand her dislike of the man, it'll be the son who renounced him and B) he does become her boss later on.]

Well at least that explains why you weren't afraid of Zero.

[Somehow that makes perfect sense.] I trust you won't be getting in my way?

I told you before, didn't I? You only have to give me an order, 99th Emperor.

[There's a slight twist to the end of her sentence, a distinct punctuation making it clear that she's recognized his status.] Whether it's addressing you by your full name or... anything else, I'll obey my boss.

[If her acknowledging him as emperor is what it took to ensure her cooperation, he sure was not going to correct her.] Very well. [He was definitely not going to need to put on the nice-guy act around her anymore.]

It's a shame Japan isn't around to see this heartwarming cooperation between Zero and his conqueror.

[Careful, Lelouch. Just because she's acknowledged you and agreed to follow your orders doesn't mean she's 100% on your side.]

[At the mention of Kiku, Britannia's eyes go a little dark as she considers her lost area. Enemy or not, conquered nation or not, she misses him.]

Hmm... I'd say it's more cooperation between Lelouch vi Britannia than Zero. Unless you're going to claim you somehow managed to assassinate yourself.

That would be an interesting trick, wouldn't it? [But Zero would have no purpose in killing an exiled prince that held no political or military power whatsoever, right?]

I'll be looking forward to your cooperation later.

Hmm... [Have a thoughtful look, Lelouch.]

Can I ask you one question?

I suppose. [He doesn't seemed to be terribly concerned about it.]

What is it you're trying to do? And please answer me honestly, since it seems you're willing to destroy my empire for it.

[What a question.] I created Zero to be a tool to destroy your empire and create a peaceful world for Nunnally. If destroying Britannia as we know it is what I must do, then so be it.

[At the answer, Britannia gives Lelouch a calm, searching stare. While she's become quite good at picking out a human's lies, there are still times when they manage to trip her up.

Still, a peaceful world for his sister... could that really be his goal? Finally, after a moment, she lets out what can only be called a pitiful sigh.]

All this for a sister-complex. How uncool.

[And he's letting that comment go.] I believe I am from the furthest behind in the chronology of our world. But assuming we all make it out of here alive, I'll keep in mind that you can be used more effectively.

"Used?" What an unfriendly word. [The comment is made lightly as she clasps her hands behind her back and starts walking back towards the group, indicating that that's all she wanted to talk about. She's about three steps away when something seems to occur to her.]

Oh, also I'll be sleeping with you starting tonight.

[That got his dander up] That's not allowed. I'm sleeping in the Prefect's headquarters now. I still don't require your protection.

Hmm... then I guess I'll just wait for you outside every morning. [Your irritation? Goes right over her head.]

[Of course it does] I'll get you if I have need of you. I don't need a shadow.

Can't do that. [The response is made lightly.] Because even if you tell me not to, I already promised that I would. Besides, haven't you already died?

I need the ability to move freely. I don't have time to be escorted at all times. Death is meaningless. If someone kills me it's nothing but an inconvenience.

And what about being tortured or imprisoned? Without that skill you're a little powerless.

Do you think I could have made it as far as I have if I were afraid of things of that nature?

So you would prefer the risk of being confined over your movements being constricted.

On the platform: New characters and old ones that want to come and meet them!

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You saw nothing

ho ho ho~

Re: ho ho ho~

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