❦ 01 ;; video
[…This was unexpected. After trying to figure out just where she was for a little while, Nunnally came to the conclusion that she had absolutely no idea. This wasn’t anywhere that looked even familiar to home
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Finally, finally he musters up the strength to call her back, to talk to her. He doesn't want her to see his tears, but that can't be helped at this point - there's no way a mask would be able to hide them. He can't cover this up, not at this point.
The thoughts continue to swirl in his mind, more and more pouring in as every second ticks by. How will she react to his being here, his being alive? She's obviously experienced Zero Requiem - she's asking for Zero. How will Suzaku respond? Clovis? Schneizel? Her health, both her physical and mental well-being, are at stake - How will she fair after seeing two siblings who she knows are dead? Will she even want to see him, to talk to him?
All of these thoughts deterring him from calling her back, but he can't do that to his sister. He has to let her know that he's here.
And the tears continue to roll down his cheeks as he shakily goes to his list of contacts and finds her name, hesitating briefly before touching it to call her back.]
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Nunnally...
[His voice is relatively strong, considering the circumstances, though he doubts that it will remain as such. He swallows the lump in his throat, determined to talk to his sister, clearing his throat to try and make this easier. But Lelouch is afraid. Afraid he's going to upset her, that she won't want to talk to him, won't want to see him, won't be able to look at him...]
You're finally in Somarium. I-- I can hardly believe it, I've waited so long to see your face again...
[Violet eyes quickly glance at the Dreamberry before turning away once more]
Where are you? I don't want you to be alone in this unfamiliar environment. Please, tell me where you are, I'll be there as soon as humanly possible.
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Lelouch. Big Brother.
For the second time in the same day, her mind’s going back to the day when he died. She had clung to him so tightly, hoping for him to come back, wanting him to come back.
But he hadn’t.]
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That realization is when the tears start falling. To see the person she had treasured most in the world back again, it’s a dream come true.
He’s asking where she is. Her mind starts clearing - at least, she’s trying.] Lelouch, I-
[No. Talk to him later, once he gets here. Even though she wants to, she wants to see him in person more.
She wants to make sure he’s not just a ghost.] I’m…I’m in front of a library. [A brief pause.] Please…hurry.
[Those words are so selfish, even to her ears, but that’s how bad she wants to see him.]
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[Lelouch is already on his way down the stairs and out of the house, pulling up her location on the GPS. The residential district, she's in front of the main library, it shouldn't take him long to get there.
He casts a brief glance to C.C. as he rushes out the door, tear stained cheeks easily noticeable. He knew that she knew where he was going. No verbal communication between the two is necessary at this point in their relationships - a look is all that's needed to convey so many emotions, worth more than words could ever be.
He starts out at brisk walk, then to a slow sprint, finally progressing to a flat-out run. Several minutes later, however, he realizes he cannot maintain such a fast pace as he is currently doubled over at the waist gasping for breath. So, he slows back down to a brisk walk, short bursts of speed every so often. What he thought was a short distance is turning out to be a bit farther away from his house than he expected it to be.
In the distance he spots her sitting patiently on the sidewalk in front of the library. The tears pour, once again, down his cheeks, but he brushes them away and attempts to maintain a bit of composure as he breaks out into a run toward his beloved sister.]
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With tears in his eyes, he looks up at her, unable to form any semblance of a word in his mouth at the moment. His eyes never leave hers as tears stream down his cheeks, falling onto his shirt and on to the sidewalk below. Her hands are clenched tightly in her lap as he reaches for them, hesitating a brief moment before he takes them and grasps them as tight as he possibly could despite his own shaking hands.]
Nunnally...
[He swallows back his tears, trying as hard as he possibly can to will them away.]
I've missed you so much.
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When she finally spots him, she becomes paralyzed. She can only stare at Lelouch as he comes forward, not wanting to move or say anything. She doesn’t want to wake up from this dream - if this was indeed a dream.
She watches him kneel down in front of her and lets him take her hands-He’s real. He’s alive. His hands were shaking, showing just how emotional he really was. But that’s okay; her hands are shaking just as badly as his.]
Lelouch…[Here come the tears again, and she grips his hands tighter. Nunnally looks down into her lap before closing her eyes, her shoulders shaking.] Big brother’s alive…
[Meaning, she missed you too. A lot.]
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I'm sorry, Nunnally... I'm so sorry for what I put you through.
[He never realized things would escalate to the point they had in Britannia. At least, not to the point where they couldn't be easily solved. When things started, his death was never an option, but as time passed it grew to be the only option he had if he wanted to achieve his end goal. No, he didn't want to leave his sister, but he knew this was something that had to be done.
And, even though he has not yet experienced Zero Requiem, he knows that it will happen and he knows (and has seen) the effects that it will have on the people in his life - on Suzaku, on C.C., and on Nunnally.
Could he explain these things to Nunnally? No, no explanation would ever be sufficient. But he could be with her in Somarium, and they can finally live peacefully together... and hopefully that would be something.]
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That isn't to say she hated him, nor was she completely mad. Maybe it was more of a let down that she had felt towards him, at least until his death. The idea that her brother could really and truly do all those horrible things, when he had been so kind to her in years past were things that still sent her mind spinning. With the same hands that calmed her when she was scared, he planned a rebellion that brought the world to its knees.
Though as she looks at him again, she doesn't see a murderer, like the world saw him at home. She sees the dear brother that she loves so much -- right where he should be.
Right here, with her. They're together again, even if it is a dream world. There's no politics, none of the worries from before resting on either of their shoulders.
She's not about to take this for granted.]
It's okay. [Her voice is still shaky, but she's getting control of her emotions once again.] I'm just so happy to see you again...I thought I lost you forever.
[She pauses, a small but sad smile crossing her face.] It really is a dream world, isn't it?
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I've been here for nine months, Nunnally... Trapped in Somarium for nine months without you, never a day passing by where you did not monopolize every one of my thoughts. And finally, you're here with me and I'm so happy. I'm so happy to see you and to be able to be your brother once again, free from the obligations and constraints placed upon both of us in Britannia.
[He tightens his grip on her hands.]
This is Somarium, and you're correct - it is a dream world. It draws energy from the dreams of the residents, broadcasting them to the entire populace through the Dreamberry, that cellphone-like device you called me on.
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Though as she listens to his words, she can't help but smile more. He really was going to be her big brother again.] Nine months is a long time, but...I'm so happy to be your little sister again too. [A day hadn't gone by when she hadn't thought about him either - but to think about home would bring on more tears. That's not exactly something she wanted, right now.
She listens to the rest of his explanations, and tilts her head.] Has it shown your dreams before, Lelouch?
[It had come out before she really thought about it. She doesn't believe that he would want his dreams broadcast - though it doesn't sound like something that's voluntary. She supposes, after a moment, that it was an innocent enough question.
It's not like she asked what he's dreamed.]
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[His eyes shut momentarily as a small smile graces his face. The things he had done to their relationship, to her, to everybody press a bit more on his heart with every word out of Nunnally's mouth. And, as hard as he tried, he couldn't push them as far back as he wanted to.]
It won't be exactly like old times, but I believe life in Somarium will suit you quite well.
[A brief squeeze of her hands and he stands to his feet, his knees sufficiently dirty from the time they spent on the ground just now]
I'm fortunate in that I haven't fallen victim to the Dreamberry's whims yet. Many others, including Suzaku, aren't as fortunate.
[A pause]
I suppose we've spent enough time in the middle of the street. Perhaps you'd like to see your new home? Ah... that is, if you wish to live with me. [Said with a bit of a smile on his face]
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I...know it won't be like it used to be. [Even though admitting that kind of saddened her. There were things that couldn't be changed though - she knew that.] It'll be a little hard to get used to, but we can't change what happened. [She can't tell how many times that it's just enough that he's there.
She tilts her head as he stands, and rests on the back of her wheelchair.]
I see. That's kind of strange - I'm sure people wouldn't like their dreams to be shown.
[She knows she wouldn't. But her mind is taken off of it when he brings up the living arrangements.]
Of course I'd like to live with you! [She grins, her entire face lighting up in a way that it hadn't done in some time. There's no way she's going to leave him for an extended amount of time anytime soon.]
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[A hand is gently placed on her shoulder as Lelouch moves to the side of her wheelchair.]
Shall we? Do ask as many questions as you want while we make our way across the village to the house, okay? I'll try to answer them all as thoroughly I can.
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[She nods, watching him. She'll just follow his lead ]
Alright. What have you been doing, in all the time you've been here?
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[A small smile accompanied by a little laugh]
I am currently working as an intern in the Chief Prosecutor's office. I wanted to learn a little more about the government and law in Somarium, so I felt this was a good opportunity for me to get some hands-on experience. There is a school, I believe, but I've no intention of returning to school.
[He's smarter than all of the students (and teachers), so there's really no point.]
Other than that? I've just been keeping myself busy, whether it be through reading the newspaper every morning or having a coffee with a friend every now and then.
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