A friend in need [ATTN Rolo, Suzaku, possibly Kallen. Anyone else welcome.]

[catstolemyhat]

Who: Lelouch Lamperouge catstolemyhat, Rolo Lamperouge locketdangle, Kouzuki Kallen red_lotus_blade, and Kururugi Suzaku kerokeroknight Anyone else welcome to join!
What: Finding a pay phone
Where: The streets of Despina
When: Immediately after the preceding log. Nighttime.
Warnings: drunk!Lelouch

Comments

[locketdangle]

Meanwhile, Rolo stared from where he was sitting on the bench. Lelouch's actions had taken a turn for the... insane, apparently. It took everything he had to keep up a facade of the concerned brother and not to make a face at Lelouch's affectionate new nickname for the Knight of Seven.

"Lord Kururugi," Rolo started, getting up from his seat and fighting down the frustrating blush that threatened to appear. Slight anger was boiling in his blood as well. This man, his boss, was the one who had sold out Lelouch to the Emperor. It was true that he had to be somewhat grateful to him, because had Lelouch never been caught, Rolo would not have been able to meet his brother. But that didn't change the fact that Suzaku had hurt Lelouch, and on multiple occasions.

Already, Rolo had been forced to use his Geass to aid Lelouch, and it had been in a manner that Rolo had not liked at all. Making it easier for Lelouch to speak with his beloved sister? It almost made Rolo sick thinking about. But he couldn't let those thoughts bother him. He had a role to fulfill.

He stepped forward and laid a cautionary hand on Lelouch's elbow. "Brother, I don't think Lord Kururugi wants any." Rolo cast a wary glance at the Knight, anticipating what his next move would be. "I'm glad you were able to find us alright."

[kerokeroknight]

Having been previously warned by Rolo that Lelouch had been drinking, it didn’t surprise him that the man would have a bottle to his lips when he walked up. Or that he would be slow enough to not lower the bottle before reacting to his presence. What was surprising about all this is that Rolo had not yet removed said bottle. If the problem was Lelouch’s inebriation, then the further inebriation of his target just didn’t seem like a good idea.

But perhaps Lelouch was intent upon keeping his drink and removing it would have made more problems than it solved. Or perhaps letting Lelouch drink until he passed out would negate Suzaku’s purpose in locating a coconut. Or bat. Or both, maybe. And while Lelouch was assuming his dramatic pose, Suzaku was thinking up all the creative ways the two could be combined.

Because the dramatic pose was only that: a dramatic pose. And Suzaku was so very used to Zero’s flamboyant antics by now. Posing required no special attention from Suzaku, especially when Zero was drunk. It meant even if Lelouch wanted to say something deep and meaningful and look dramatic when he said it, his brain would be about five steps behind everyone else and that meant Suzaku’s brain could hang back, too.

Which meant Suzaku was unsurprised and unimpressed when Lelouch failed to even say his name. And tried very hard not to grin with amusement at how Lelouch blinked, obviously not even sure himself what he just said, exactly.

And then he tried, again.

And again.

And it made Suzaku wonder if the “ruru” part of his name really was so hard to say. ...But most Britannians seemed to say it just fine, and Lelouch himself never had a problem, before. So he was probably just that drunk, or really liked saying “ru.”

And because of who Lelouch was and what he would or would not admit to, it really could have been either.

Suzaku watched with increasingly less amusement as Lelouch’s mind wandered away and all that seemed left for him was his mission to say “Kururugi” correctly. How the hell had a man, who would reduce himself to this, defeated his army so many times? He was drastically different when he was sober, and that gave Suzaku the idea to surround Lelouch with alcohol while he was in confinement so he might dull his own mind and never invent a working escape plan.

[kerokeroknight]

With the sad attempt at speech dragging on, Suzaku took up the goal of counting exactly how many times Lelouch screwed up his name. He was at three and counting.

And he imagined it was an exponential function to discern exactly how many “ru”’s were amongst them.

Suzaku, taken with his counting and utter disbelief at what his former friend had done to himself, and exactly how little of a threat Lelouch actually was right now, hadn’t truly noticed the closing distance between them, either. The hand on his shoulder sharpened his senses back from where the constant barrage of “ru”’s had dulled it. He was prepared in an instant to forcefully remove the unwanted contact and doubly maneuver Lelouch away and into the nearest wall... But the sudden smile caught him off-guard and the Knight of Seven found himself blinking in mild shock until the nickname hit his ears.

How dare he. How dare Lelouch think he was allowed to give him affectionate nicknames after all the pain and suffering he had caused. After all the hardship and death he had brought. Afte-and it was then that Suzaku realized the improper implications of his chosen Japanese. -chan? Suzaku was not female nor was he very young or even particularly cute. The offer that followed and consequent raising of the bottle helped to convince Suzaku that Lelouch’s smile was not actually mocking him and, instead, the great leader of the Black Rebellion was just that drunk.

Euphemia’s former knight was beginning to understand why Rolo had called for help. This was hard for one’s brain to digest, much less solve. Logic did not work, here. Suzaku wondered if he should be looking for a coconut about now.

...Or a way to get the alcohol from Lelouch. Ignoring Rolo, though he heard him clearly, Suzaku nodded at the terrorist and tried to make himself sound as friendly as possible to the drunk, “I would love to,” and with that he took the bottle with a lofty, easy gesture of his own and let it hang limply by his hip, neglecting to take the aforementioned sip and instead concerned now with getting the terrorist home.

He looked to Rolo and nodded darkly to acknowledge him, then smiled brightly and shoved the bottle at him, instead. “A drink for all!” He cried with painfully obvious false cheer, also painfully obviously just trying to get rid of the bottle before he moved on with his plan.

Which apparently involved swiping Lelouch’s legs out from under him and carrying Zero back the way Suzaku came as quickly as possible.

[catstolemyhat]

Hearing such an enthusiastic agreement to his offer, Lelouch was more than happy to hand the beverage over. Though he had to wonder how much involvement he really had in that process when Suzaku seemed to confiscate the bottle from him so quickly, leaving him only grasping onto air and presenting his empty hand to the Knight. Before he even had time to register the missing object from his possessive hold, the wine was then being passed on to Rolo with the apparent intent of sharing with everyone, which somehow didn’t seem to sit right in his mind. Lelouch barely had time to mumble something about the smallest of their party being too young for such a thing when he was suddenly hoisted up off the ground and into a pair of arms.

“Ah! Su...zaku...” was the prince’s startled gasp trailing off into a lazy murmur as he instinctively clung to his enemy’s shoulders, adjusting to his new airborne and mobile position. His normal, sober self would have protested immediately. This was completely undignified and he was perfectly capable of walking on his own two feet without help, especially from Suzaku. But at the moment, while part of him was somewhat wary about being held in air by a man he wasn’t sure he could trust anymore, the terrorist menace previously known as Zero experimentally kicked his legs back and forth, almost…comfortable with the notion of relieving the burden that was maintaining his balance enough to stand, let alone walk. His gaze slowly drifted, miraculously away from his wine bottle disappearing behind him, between the ground, and Suzaku’s face, the comprehension slowly sinking into his skull practically visible on his confused features.

Eventually, after he’d grown used to the fact that he was being carried and wasn’t about to be dropped into a world of pain, Lelouch shifted and squirmed until the rest of him was comfortable too, his arms now casually around Suzaku’s neck.

“Where’re we... goin’? Wha’bout...Rolo n’Kalle-... mm...” the violet eyed teen slurred his inquiry before seemingly becoming distracted, one of his long fingers wandering down the shiny gold trim of the cloak he was pressed against until he found a button, and then a chain to fiddle and play with at Suzaku’s chest. This apparently took precedence over everything else and another smile found its way onto his lips, paired with a sleepy, fascinated look similar to the one he’d worn observing Rolo’s locket. He was completely unaware of the questionable situation he was getting himself into and only seemed content with the fact that he was among good friends who would no doubt make sure he was taken care of.

[locketdangle]

It took about a minute for Rolo to register the now half-empty bottle in his hand. He had not expected the Knight of Seven's actions (one rarely did, the man acted on instinct too often) and was now faced with what he had to do with the wine.

Thinking that he should just give it back to his brother (even if it could cause more harm), Rolo turned his attention to the older geass user only to feel his jaw drop in surprise. Lelouch was practically draped all over Suzaku, behaving in an intimate manner that Rolo was certain was usually reserved for lovers. Even if his knowledge of the area was not all that widespread.

"B-brother?" he managed, eyes widening. Rolo turned desperately for someone to call to his aid. "K-Kallen, right? Make him stop. Please make him stop!"

Rolo dropped the bottle in his hands, ignoring the crash it made as broke and spilled the remainder of its contents on the ground. He covered his eyes, if only to keep himself from seeing Lelouch draped over Suzaku. If only to keep himself from slitting the throat of the knight who was supposed to be his boss.

[red_lotus_blade]

The arrival of the knight/her former enemy was slightly shocking to the red headed spit fire even though she expected it. She had in actuality not expected to come to his former enemies aid, particularly where they had some bad blood between the two of them. A matter to that had yet to be officially cleared up in fact.

But his arrival was overshadowed by Lelouch's all to "eloquent" response.

From an outside perspective the whole encounter would be seen at the very least midly entertaining and at most hysterically hilarious.

Seeing the terrorist leader trip over his words in his drunken stupor had ashamed her before, but now she thought it was highly amusing. And when he called Suzaku "Kurugi chan~" and the sentence that followed she tried to reframe her snickers with coughs and used her hand to cover her very obvious grin.

But as the scene progressed, what eventually was amusement turned to shock and chagrin She was truly shocked that the former knight of rounds would pull such a move, but also at the reaction to her boss she really couldn't believe it actually. Especially in such a manner. The whole scene was shocking and disturbing if not embarassing, because she considered herself to associate with the inebriated man in question. But when she realized what this night entailed it only confirmed her suspicions.

She thought this would probably make a good play someday.

Or some kind of epic shakespearan play since it was being entertaining. A play done by melodramatic, high strung characters (actors), who had too much emotional baggage to handle. And here she thought she had issues. Wow these boys really took the cake on that one.

She looked at Rolo with wide disbelieving eyes before looking back at the scene, as she cleared her throat, "I don't know if there's anything I really can do. But we have to do something..."

However, the crashing of the bottle snapped her out of her daze she and stared at Suzaku wit narrowed eyes, neglecting the fact that her leader was petting her enemy. She walked passed Rolo and looked at Suzaku right in the eye. "What exactly are you doing Suzaku?", her tone completely ignoring that he was only the one being forced into this predicament and not the other way around.

[kerokeroknight]

Now he knew Lelouch was drunk. The sober prince he knew would never submit to being carried so easily. ...Granted, this was not his first clue and it was pretty pointless expecting this pile of limbs to act with the dignity he knew the soul inside imagined himself to have but the Knight of Seven’s mind seemed unable to accept that and continued to expect normal Lelouch behavior only to be tripped up and let down again.

...But the fiddling with his cloak’s chain clasp was entirely predictable behavior for his ex-best friend. If Suzaku wasn’t careful, Lelouch might have him out of it in record time. But the knight didn’t have long to think on this before a crash sounded behind him and he turned suddenly to see what was the matter.

Rolo appeared utterly distre-and then Kallen was blocking his view. He should have expected the leader of Zero’s personal guard to have a problem with his methods, and of course she would approach him only as hostilely as physically possible.

His tone was as clipped and curt as hers was accusatory when he matter-of-factly replied, “Retrieving Lelouch and ‘escorting’ him as quickly and efficiently as possible back to our place of residence.” And with that said he stepped to the side to see around her and went about ignoring the terrorist body guard in favor of focusing on his Britannian assassin.

Suzaku immediately noted the broken bottle and took a brief moment to celebrate the fact that Lelouch surely could not drink any more. “Rolo?” He asked, deliberately evening the tones of worry and command in his voice. He was still, technically, the boys superior even if all of that was theoretically left behind in another world. They’d have to go back eventually, wouldn’t they?

“What’s wrong, Rolo? Why are you distressed?” Despite not being close to his soldier, as Suzaku was not very inclined to be close to anyone, anymore, he was still genuinely concerned. Rolo, after all, was the only person here who even had a chance of actually listening to him, and even that might not last long considering the hopelessness around them. But as long as Rolo considered himself Suzaku’s subordinate, Suzaku would do his best to take care of his underling. It was his responsibility, after all.

[locketdangle]

Rolo's hands were balled into fists. Inside, he knew that Lelouch's behavior was his own fault (and the fault of the alcohol), but he wasn't going to let Lelouch drape himself over the very man that had betrayed him. Right now, the only reason Suzaku was still alive (in Rolo's opinion) was because Lelouch had ordered Rolo not to kill the Knight. But now... Rolo's anger was rising and it was getting more and more difficult to not simply activate his Geass, pull out his switch knife, and quickly dispatch the Knight of Seven.

"L-let him go... Let Brother go." His anger and jealousy were soon giving way on his features, replacing the well fixed mask he usually had on. It didn't bother him that much, though. They were in a new world where Suzaku's rule was no longer law. Rolo didn't worry about revealing himself anymore since Lelouch had already admitted to being Zero and Rolo was sure Lelouch would prevent any of the others from harming his "little brother."

Ignoring what logic told him, Rolo pulled his switch knife out of the pocket in his school uniform and deftly flicking it open with his fingers. "Put Brother down. I've changed my mind. I don't need and definitely don't want your help!"

[catstolemyhat]

For some strange reason unknown to Lelouch, the air seemed to drastically change around him the moment he was resting contently in Suzaku’s hold. He was jarred out of his temporary hypnosis the shiny honey colored metal had cast on him hearing what sounded like glass breaking behind him. The sound promptly had him frozen, his hand clutching onto the clasp he’d been playing with and his unusually flushed complexion going white for a few seconds knowing that such a noise couldn’t have meant anything good. Had the Britannian teen more wits about himself, he might have had a more dramatic reaction to the untimely end of his precious wine he had gone so far to topple Kallen for. But as luck would have it, it was Kallen herself that prevented this realization from ever making its way to the terrorist’s already muddled brain when she suddenly made herself an obstacle in Suzaku’s path.

Poor Lelouch barely had time to open his mouth, let alone think of something to say to reassure his ace pilot, before he was being turned in a different direction and blinking down at Rolo. A very distraught Rolo standing amidst broken glass and a dark puddle slowly seeping into the concrete. Once again, as Lelouch took in these minor details, Suzaku beat him to speaking up and consequently, he only ended up even further confused when the younger "Lamperouge" replied by pulling out something shiny of his own. However even in his drunken state, Lelouch did not appreciate the presence of this particular shiny thing.

What was wrong with everyone? Had they not asked Suzaku to come find them in the first place? Why was everyone making a fuss now that he was here? The Prince groaned in his confusion, throwing his head back and making a more theatrical gesture than necessary to express his dissatisfaction when he pressed his fingers to his forehead as if he had one of the headaches he’d surely be suffering the next morning.

“Nnn’aaghh... Ss’the problem? C’n we jus’ go home? W’r supossa be friends here,” he gave Rolo a frown, a frown that only ended up looking more like a pout, with his sidelong glance before turning to eye Kallen from what he could see of her behind Suzaku with his head tilted back, “Right?” then leaned forward to gaze up at Suzaku, his hand slowly falling from his face and into his lap to make way for his suddenly serene, and perhaps even hopeful, expression when he repeated his question, “N’aaa Suzaku... We’re friends ...right?”

[red_lotus_blade]

Kallen sighed out, The person that's making the most "sense" is the one whose plastered right now....figures .

She turned her back on the couple absent mindedly, though she did appreciate that she didn't have to deal with the site of it any longer. "The drunken one does have a....point. Albeit, not in those exact words but I can gather what he's trying to say. The sooner we get home, the sooner we can forget this whole incident ever happened", she nonchalantly reasoned

Meanwhile she looked over at Rolo and mouthed so that the two couldn't see, "Not now . Just let it go."

[kerokeroknight]

Suzaku stared with surprised, stunned eyes at the man he was holding. The man who had killed so many and lied so often and was drunk off his ass and looking up at him with fond eyes. The Knight of Seven blinked, recovered from his shock, and asked with awe in his voice, “Exactly how drunk are you?!”

Truth be told, that wasn’t the most pressing advancement, simply the most incredulous. So, going by the sheer jealousy in his eyes, Rolo had already abandoned his position as Britannian soldier before they had ever stepped foot in this world. That was a shame, but there was nothing Suzaku could do, now. Rolo was part of the enemy and Suzaku would treat him as such. This meant, of course, that he no longer had anyone he could count on here and he would have to rely on himself for the rest of their time in this world.

He gazed at Lelouch a little while longer, pondering what to do with him once they were home, then lifted his eyes to Rolo before turning back to Kallen, “I agree. Let’s get home and then deal with the rest of this, as the drunken one so obviously wants.” Emphasizing the last three words, Suzaku hoped to get it across to Rolo that starting something here was not going to be in Zero’s best interest, since every member of the Black Knights that he’d come across so far had been so very diligent when it came to helping their leader. Pulling from that desire was completely fair and in many ways warranted, considering how Lelouch plays the game...

[locketdangle]

Rolo tightened his grip on his switch-knife. He still didn't feel comfortable with Lelouch in Suzaku's arms, but aside from killing the Knight of Seven (tempting, but probably not wise at the moment), he wouldn't be able to do anything about the matter. Besides, he'd have the man's blood on his hands, a drunken brother to deal with and probably an angry woman as well. Rolo could be rash, but he wasn't stupid. If a chance came up later for him to take advantage of, he might, but now was not that time.

"Fine," he said, steadily, giving the knife a twirl in his hand so that it closed with a click. Then, he slid it back into his uniform jacket. Anger still show in his features, however, but Rolo knew the situation was precarious, if he wanted to keep both himself and his brother safe. Kururugi wasn't called the Reaper of Britannia for nothing.

Slipping his hand out of his jacket, Rolo pulled out his cellphone and held onto it as if for reassurance. The sooner they got back to the appartment and the sooner he could concentrate on his brother, the better. "Shall we?"