∴ 002 ∴ Action ∴ Open ∴

[as_you_command]

[ Shortly after the evening's arrival, Guilford thought it was finally time to sit down, clear his mind, and practice. The shutters were likely poor insulation, but his hut was hopefully a good distance away from the others so that the sounds of his violin would not disturb anyone already asleep.

Guilford tried, with several false starts, to play

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[knightmare_hime]

[She is growing accustomed, or so she tells herself, to the tenor of his voice when he uses her first name. But there is something about it, something nostalgic, some tiny bit of information that is missing to her because he's been calling her that far longer than she's had the opportunity to experience. Because of that, she cannot help the uncertainty that lingers minutely when it is heard.]

Not at all. [And her eyes lower, noting his state of dress. Apparel is not as easy to come by here, but she is used to seeing him polished, clothes neatly pressed and of the highest quality. Certainly not with the top buttons of his shirt undone, exposing much of his neck for her to see.

Her eyes are there a beat longer than she means for them to be and then they return to his face.

The silence is awkward. The situation is rare, or at least it would be if not for this primitive world. She swallows, her eyes flickering to the interior of his house and then she takes a step back.]

I should not have interrupted you. [Her arm tightens on the package, a flash of something dark surfacing on her features. She hates being forced into these aberrant circumstances, hates feeling as if her life and experiences have been taken away from her, hates not knowing how to act in front of a man that once pledged his entire life to her.

Another step back, and she turns partially toward her own hut.] Please. Continue.

[as_you_command]

[ The relief as she assured him that he was no bother, was brief. Something was off in the way she regarded him, and if it was not because of any disturbance he caused, what could it be?

Shifting, almost willing to let her get back to her business, his eyes catch sight of the package she held close. Curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped back and opened the door wider. ] I was preparing to stop for the evening.

[ Then, to give her reason to stay beyond whatever she had in mind, and was second-guessing: ] I was also considering some evening tea. Would you like to stay for a cup? [ He didn't want to be too inviting, only because she would not be used to a request such as that, coming from him. More like, she would say she wished for tea, and he would set about the task of fetching it. ]

[knightmare_hime]

[She looks up, gaze meeting bare skin first before finding his eyes.]

Ah. [And then remembering the entire reason for her visit, she turns back toward him, holding out the parcel.] It is a little late for house warming gifts, but I thought they might be of some use.

[Cornelia considers the tea, her first inclination being to say yes. She knows from experience that if there is anything domestic Guilford is capable of, it is making good tea. Unfortunately, her efforts to do so for herself have not been so successful. And having gone several days without coffee, the temptation for any caffeine is great.

Pressing the gift into his chest and hands, she walks past him into the hut.] Very well. A cup of tea would be nice.

[as_you_command]

Oh. [ It was a little surprising, but he smiled just the same. ] Thank-- [ And there she goes, so he pauses while she steps past. ] --you.

[ With the briefest of glances outside, he shuts the door and enters the room. The hut is about as clean as it can be, with the tools he has to work with. There is one lone chair pulled over to a window of the main "living room", even though the wrinkling of the cover of his cot would be evidence that it is where he had just been practicing. ] Please, make yourself comfortable.

[ Setting the instrument and gift, he buttons up his collar, and steps into the smaller, adjacent room, to prepare the fire and the kettle that he always keeps full of water. Once set up, he comes back and picks up the package, beginning to pick at the ties that hold it closed. ]

[knightmare_hime]

You needn't thank me.

[His living space is a lot tidier and cleaner than her own. While Cornelia is a very organized person, she doesn't pay much mind to aesthetics, nor is she domestically inclined. The most she has done with her hut is acquire candles and a few stray pieces of furniture for a workstation so that she can sharpen her knives and construct a few simple weapons. There are wood shavings on her floor and stray materials strewn about the kitchen. The only thing that is moderately neat is her bed.

She moves to the single chair, but, rather than sit, she places her hands on the back of it, eyes drawn to the window. The air feels different in this world, like it has a distinct taste and thickness to it. It's not unpleasant, but she's wonders how long it will be before she forgets the scent of the garden at the palace or the familiar glow of the stars from inside her Gloucester.

Her eyes return to the room when she hears him fumbling with the gift.] I have added iron particles to them. At least, what little I managed to find.

[as_you_command]

[ That might have been true, but he still wanted to. Once the items were unwrapped, he discarded the paper onto a table and set them all on it, save for one that he held in his hand. What a lethal, and practical gift. Had it been from anyone else, he might have been surprised, but it was just like her to think practically -- and, he perceived, that she considered his safety here to be important to her.

Guilford smiled, testing the weight of one of the hand-made daggers, noting the craftsmanship and balance, speaking quietly after her statement. ] No doubt increasing their effectiveness... [ Closer inspection revealed the uneven coloration in the blade, but the edges were quite sharp. ] I will safer with these as a backup. [ After all, he received a thin, short blade as part of his duties to the Watch, even if his shifts are few. ]

[ His appreciation was obvious in both his tone and expression, but he smiles at her lightly. It had to be voiced. ] It was quite thoughtful of you.

[knightmare_hime]

[Thoughtful? It in't a word she generally categorizes herself as. In fact, it sounds quite inane coming from his mouth. As if he is making a bad joke. But she can see for herself that he is serious. And knowing Guilford, at least the man she left behind a year before finding herself here, humor was not his strong point.

Cornelia shakes her head to indicate that it is nothing. She arrived there with a few daggers of her own, and they had already come in handy. Even now, she has three stored on her. Being that little is known about the fae and their attacks are seemingly unpredictable, it should come as no surprise that she is taking every precaution necessary.]

I merely had a few extra. [That isn't entirely true. Anyone familiar with weaponry would know that the weight and sizing of the handle suggest that they were made for a man, one of great strength. But she sees no need in admitting that aloud.

Even so, after a moment, her lips soften until her expression almost resembles a smile. But it passes quickly, and her gaze draws away from his.]

It looks like you are settling in nicely. Have you met many people?

[as_you_command]

[ If she said she merely had them laying about, there was little he could do to prove otherwise, short of their construction. Walking over, he crouched next to his cot and jabbed the blade in his hand in a crevice. It would remain in easy reach, but hidden, should something attempt to take him by surprise in his sleep. ]

Only a handful. The bulk of whom all are members of the Watch. [ He never was much of a social person, and this did not change even as the world around him did. Preferring to keep his acquaintances few, and of the professional sort. ] I have not yet caught up with some of those from our world, either. [ Specifically Lloyd and Suzaku; though he also spent very little time with Nunnally before she, too, disappeared. ]

fff. it didn't post earlier

[knightmare_hime]

Mmn. Yes. Neither have I. From what I have been told, Kururugi is from before... [There is a pause. A definite pause. One that causes the color to drain from her face as she holds her breath for a few additional seconds.] ...he and I were acquainted.

And Earl Asplund has been hard at work on strengthening our structural defenses per Schneizel's orders. [Her gaze lowers.] And since Nunnally disappeared, I guess I have only really spent time with the Watch. [At least, until now. She looks up, her attention turning to the kettle as the water starts to boil.]

[as_you_command]

[ A small sigh. ] I suspected such when, during our introduction upon my arrival, he did not comment on being referred to informally. [ He expected some reminder of his rank; a Knight would have wasted no time reaffirming the chain of command, if it was intact. ]

[ He quirked a brow. ] Without Cecile to aid him, and being out of his element, he must be thankful for the work. [ Though Guilford was curious as to who was keeping him... in line. ]

[ At least she was not hiding away, was his thought. ] One's work is often the best-- [ Distraction? No, best not say it that was. Guilford moves over to kettle and lifts it away with a rag on the handle. ] --to focus on.

[ He then begins to prepare the tea traditional means. It has been some time since he had to use such old-fashioned methods, as opposed to simple tea bags, but it was a skill easily re-learned. ]

[knightmare_hime]

I have not spoken to him. Kururugi, that is. Only once when I arrived. His activity over the network has been scarce as well.

[She doesn't comment on the others. Even though she has known Earl Asplund and Cecile Croomy for many years, their relationship has been nothing but formal. She had asked various technical questions regarding his work, made a lot of demands, and he never let her down. He is a reliable source and very useful if they are to overcome their current situation.]

The fae control everything. What little information we do have is hardly an advantage. It is likely that the data we have was acquired only because they allowed it.

[She watches him work, but her thoughts are elsewhere.]

[as_you_command]

Hrm. [ The contemplative sound is all he adds to the discussion about Suzaku. The boy is likely feeling the loss of Lelouch, to some extent, though he does not know where his loyalties might presently lie.

It takes him a little time to finish, the tea steeping as they speak. Though it could be seen as a cocky statement, he saw nothing but truth in it. ] If this all but a game to them, they play it formidable opponents. We are not pieces to be so easily shifted and moved according to their whims. [ Chess analogy, and subtle compliment, all wrapped up in what he perceived as a warning from her. Everything should be taken in critically, and with a grain of salt, lest they be further trapped. ]

[ Moments later, he approaches and holds out her tea, wordlessly bowing his head. It would be the stronger of the two in color, with no additions. They both had tin platters serving as coasters, and while his cup was of the same material, hers was a thick ceramic mug. ]

[knightmare_hime]

[As he holds out the mug to her, she blinks, her mind returning to the present and then she stares at the tea, how it is being served, and she looks up at him, her gaze grateful and warm.] Thank you.

[She takes it from him, raising it so that she can inhale. Just the smell alone is soothing. In truth, Cornelia has been experiencing headaches due to a lack of caffeine. Particularly in the morning since she was used to having two or three cups of strong coffee. It was served that way to her every day for years, and her body has had a difficult time accepting the changes. Her afternoon tea she can do without, but starting her morning without coffee has been a challenging habit to amend.

While she waits for it to cool, she finds that it is difficult to address the next order of business. Perhaps because she fears some of the answers that might result from such a topic. But she forces it out anyway, her eyes searching his.]

I wish to discuss the things that happen in the future of our world. My future, I mean.

[as_you_command]

[ She didn't have to thank him, but he was glad to hear it just the same. ] You are welcome. [ Judging from her reaction to the scent alone, it seemed as if she needed it. ]

[ Guilford sat back down on his cot, as he would rather not stand during this talk, and she still occupied the space of the only chair he had. He spends some time watching the reflections across the surface of his own drink while she brings about the next subject, almost as if he had not heard her. ]

...What is it you wish to know? [ It was best if she had specific questions for him. Having the burden of knowledge was nothing, but sharing it and making the current situation turbulent was not something he enjoyed. ]

[knightmare_hime]

[Seeing him take a seat, she finally rounds the chair and sits, both hands curling around the mug, her own eyes slipping to stare into the steaming liquid. She's not sure why this is so difficult. Why there is so much apprehension in her heart. But it's there nevertheless.

So, for now, she will avoid personal topics about herself.]

Tell me the circumstances surrounding Lelouch's death. [Her eyes are on him again.] Who was responsible? Was I... present?

[as_you_command]

[ It's a good thing she sat down because this was certainly news that might not be taken lightly. He looked up at her, having to take a moment to formulate the narrative. ]

Lelouch was -- [ Murdered? Punished? ]

"Emperor" Lelouch perished at the hands of someone masquerading as Zero, who interrupted a victory parade held in the former Area 11. [ It couldn't be the real Zero, for obvious reasons. ] You and I were both observing from inside a nearby office building. We were waiting along with a small strike team of... varied affiliations, seeking to free several prisoners that were on display during the ceremony.

Zero's movement pre-empted our plans, and he was able to act and escape before we ever made it out onto the road.