shirley || 01
Who: Shirley & everyone c:
Where: The streets of Somni/shopping district. (Feel free to run into her anywhere \o\)
Style: First for lazy? (Otherwise I'll match)
Status: Open!
Th-this is so embarassing...
[Shirley wraps her arms around herself as she walks through the streets of Somni, trying to hide the apparent blood that's found its way onto her ( Read more... )
Where: The streets of Somni/shopping district. (Feel free to run into her anywhere \o\)
Style: First for lazy? (Otherwise I'll match)
Status: Open!
Th-this is so embarassing...
[Shirley wraps her arms around herself as she walks through the streets of Somni, trying to hide the apparent blood that's found its way onto her ( Read more... )
It is sleeveless, white collar, pink with buckles on each breast... That is the shirt she was wearing that day, isn't it? It looks so familiar, he's almost certain that-- Ah, that's a blood stain.
Her behavior makes sense, now. She knows everything, everything he's done, everything that has happened to her, everything she said to him, and everything he said and did as she took her last few breaths.]
Shirley, where are you? Describe your surroundings to me and I'll come get you. I'll explain everything to you as soon as you're taken care of properly.
[Lelouch remains as calm as he possibly can, an expert at hiding his true emotions possessing skills even the most accomplished actors wish they had, but knows he can't hide the sense of urgency in his voice. Not from her.]
You're not still bleeding, are you?
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There's no hiding it now--she knows that there had never been any point in it, though she can't help but feel embarrassed still. Not only is he seeing her bloodstained body again...she had said all that to him; confessed everything, knowing that she would die. It was a parting gift of sorts; she had hoped they would serve as words of encouragement, knowing that someone would be watching him from above, always.
But she doesn't know what it means anymore. Sh-she would have to figure something out...though it would of course, depend on how much Lulu would actually acknowledge.
...he doesn't seem too surprised, seeing her like this; his reaction was at least calmer than most others she'd passed by, so perhaps he remembers...
She's still contemplating whether this is a good or bad thing, when the questions come. Though she's mostly leaning towards good.]
N-no, I...I don't think so. It stings a little when I walk, but...at the very least, I still can.
[She's grateful for that, so have the tiniest of hopeful smiles.]
It looks like I'm in a shopping district of some sort, so...I was just trying to find some new clothes, when you called.
[...Shirley doesn't want to trouble him. She's never wanted to; she's only ever wanted the best for him. But of course, she'd be lying if she said she didn't want to see him again in person...
And she is done with lies. So--she doesn't protest. She can't wait...]
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After locating Shirley on his Dreamberry's GPS, he returns to the video, to the smallest of hopeful smiles.]
I shouldn't be long, perhaps fifteen minutes at the most. [A pause, before he leaves] Do I need to bring you a change of clothes? You can borrow one of my shirts until you've found something that better suits you.
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[Suddenly, fifteen minutes does not seem like a lot of time. She hadn't quite expected that he'd be able to tell where she was so quickly, but then again--she tells herself that she shouldn't be surprised. What to do, though?
What to do...?
She doesn't want to intrude. She doesn't want to interrupt, yet he's the one ready to set out to come meet her. She doesn't want to bother him, to taint his clothes, yet here he is, offering to bring some. She never thought something like this would happen...
But she does want to see him. That much is true, and that is stronger than anything else.
...She can't say no.]
If...if you really wouldn't mind. I--I think I've been scaring people-- [Her cheeks are red, and she frowns.] I don't want to ruin any of your shirts, though...
[She looks around, half trying to hide her blushing; half observing the people walking by, and the stares she's been getting. Perhaps it's not a good idea for her to step into a store just yet, as she intended...
No. Quite the opposite, perhaps she should find a place to lay low until she can meet with him. This isn't fair to the others, to have to see her like this...]
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[He tosses the Dreamberry on the bed for a moment while he goes in the closet to get a shirt and a light jacket for her.]
I'm afraid I can't continue our conversation as I don't think I can talk on the phone and operate a motorcycle at the same time. Though I've probably done more dangerous things, I'm going to err on the side of caution today. [A smile] Stay where you are, I'll be there soon.
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The words replay in her mind, as if she's trying to make herself believe it.
She knows, after all. She knows everything; she knows all about the other 'far more dangerous' things he's done. She knows about Zero, about his rebellion, about what he's tried to do; she knows that he's lied again and again. Whether he realizes that she knows doesn't seem clear--Lulu always has been a good actor. But...she goes along with it for now.
They would have a chance to talk about it soon, so she shouldn't rush into things. They'd have to talk about it, right...? Even if a part of her is afraid he'll try to wipe her memory again. He surely realizes, though, how important her memories are to her by now...? Surely she's made it clear...
Either way, she would have to trust him.]
...I won't go anywhere, Lulu. I promise.
[She does find a more private and enclosed area nearby, to wait for him, however. She worries at first that it would make her harder to find...but she knows that if anyone would be able to, it's him.]
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Shirley?
[No response.]
Shirley, can you hear me? Where are you?
[With a frustrated sigh, he tucks the clean shirt and jacket under his arm and walks further into the shopping area, looking in between the buildings, everywhere he could think to look for her.]
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She is sitting, messing with the device, perhaps still trying to come to term with the fact that it is indeed hers, when she suddenly hears her name spoken. Her eyes widen upon recognizing the voice, and she gets up, tucking her phone back into her pocket to find the source. She steps out briefly to the spot where she'd been standing when she spoke with him.
He might even recognize it when he saw it.]
Lulu?
[She spots him walking past quickly enough, and calls after him. She knows that it's him--]
H-Hey, over here. Sorry...I thought it'd be easier if I separated myself from the crowd some...
[She frowns, feeling guilty to have inconvenienced him at all. But she is glad to see him at last...]
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You needn't be concerned with what others may be thinking right now. They don't need to know the circumstances surrounding why you need a change of clothes.
[He smiles before handing her the shirt and jacket.]
You should be able to change in any of the stores in this area, just ask for a dressing room or for one of the employees to point you in the direction of the nearest restroom... Or we can go back to my home if you would feel more comfortable there. It's up to you, Shirley.
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It's kind of a strange notion to think about. She's not entirely used to it, because hardly anything is ever up to her anymore. Losing her father wasn't her choice; Lulu's actions weren't her choice, what he chose to tell her...or not tell her, as the case may be, was certainly not her choice.
She can only be in control of her own actions, which is obvious--reasonable. Yet somehow she still expects so much more of herself. Like she should be able to do more than just simply be there for him...
But then again, she supposes she should be grateful for being able to do even that much.
'Somarium' wherever this place is--allows it so.]
I-I'm not really sure...this is all rather sudden.
[She takes the shirt and the jacket timidly, her cheeks turning a faint red again.]
I had no idea you had a house here...
[Surely he still considers Britannia his home, but...with the way he rebelled against everyone, the way he sought to change everything, all for the sake of Nunna...
Perhaps not.]
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At least, not now.
Those things weren't important right now, in his mind. Helping Shirley understand her current surroundings, that she's here for the long haul, and that this place isn't the dream it may seem to be... That's the most important thing.
And getting her properly taken care of and out of the public eye.]
I've been here for over a year, Shirley.
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[She repeats, flabbergasted, almost dropping the jacket and shirt. She looks...surprised to say the least, and she has to repeat the words again in her mind, just for it to sink in. Over a year...
Over a year...?]
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But...I don't understand.
I-I just saw you...
[How long ago? An hour? Maybe two?
Even that is generous, considering how she still feels disoriented from waking up here. She remembers seeing him, because how could she forget such an important moment like that...?
Maybe she's been asleep for an entire year? But even that sounds ridiculous, in light of all this--because he obviously knows, doesn't he...?
He's not at all surprised to see her like this--though admittedly, very few things surprised him. And he even mentioned that other people did not know the circumstances--implying he does. If it's impossible for her to forget, then it must be doubly impossible for him to.
Even if it has been a year or more, surely he remembers; and for her just to show up out of the blue as a reminder...
Haha. She must be a horrible person to do that.
...She can't even bring herself to say anything more, so she stays silent, averting her eyes.
Ready to follow him no matter what he may say. No matter how Somarium tries to confuse her, mess with her emotions...]
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[He gives her a curious look, brows furrowing slightly, before returning to the smile that was previously on her face. With every unsure word out of her mouth, he begins to compile a list of things they need to discuss - What Somarium is, how one arrives here, how things like timelines and death are irrelevant to this place, what she does and doesn't remember in Britannia, things she needs to know concerning a few of the residents, things she needs to know concerning goings on in Britannia... The list could go on and on.
Her innocence needs to be preserved... at least, what's left of it.]
I'll explain everything as soon as we can comfortably talk without fear of interruption or somebody overhearing our conversation. For now, we can either find somewhere for you to change your clothes or return to my home.
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[Of course.
She has to focus. She has to stay calm, if she wants to learn anything about this place--even if she is confused and disoriented. Things would surely be easier with Lulu here, at least. She knows she can trust him, so...she nods.
And then she turns back to him with a little more confidence, and gives him a gentle smile.]
Will...will you show me, then? I mean--where you've been staying...
[If he doesn't mind. But he did offer--didn't he? It's difficult to tell what's real anymore...]
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[He extends his arm, motioning for her to walk ahead. The smile on his face is warm, familiar, and (above all else) genuine.]
I parked my motorcycle not too far from here. [A pause] Don't worry, though, I brought an extra helmet for you. I had a feeling we would be leaving this crowded area in favor of somewhere a bit more intimate. As for the clothes I brought you... you can tuck them under your arm or squeeze them into the small bag on the side of the bike, though I don't know if the jacket will fit...
[He trails off, searching for his key in various pockets.]
You're also welcome to wear it if those options don't suit you.
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