(Untitled)

[justsopretty]

Characters: Clovis la Britannia & OPEN.
Location: Church.
Rating: PG-13?
Time: August 25. Afternoon.
Description: Feeling a little distressed about the response to his kindness and Euphemia having to constantly apologize, Clovis decides to get some perspective. (Furthermore, he's certain that Stein can't cross onto holy ground, so feels safest there

Comments

[redpeacock]

That voice.

As he passed by the church, he noticed it-- the sound of that voice, dramatically echoing around the church's interior. It was familiar.

Was it...

"Clovis?"

Stopping by the door, he looked in to see the blond man there along the aisle, standing with his hands behind his back. He overheard a little and knew that something was wrong. Perhaps it was because of his sudden declaration earlier.

[justsopretty]

A slight tilt of his head before he thought that perhaps he should leave. The Emperor was one that was ordained by the Almighty, and he had thought that perhaps, even if it was in different worlds, he would be granted an audience once more with his father to sort out his thoughts. It seemed like he would not be granted such a courtesy.

Clovis let out a loud sigh of defeat. His sister, in his eyes, was being shamed by this city and its people. Yet she smiled and said that she was happy; so, he, too, tried his best to put a stiff upper-lip for her. And yet, and yet. Even the Britannians that were present in the city, they felt what he was doing was wrong. How could that be? Back home, even if it were those Numbers who hated him, at least, his people always supported his decisions. Why?

"Genesis!" More than a little surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

[redpeacock]

Genesis took a few steps in. The architecture of the building and its grandeur gave away its state as a place of reverence. For what or whom, Genesis didn't know. The relative silence and the wide hollowness of the building made it certain that the place was to be respected as something sacred. He did not go further in yet, staying close to the door-- the afternoon sun was harsh against his silhouette.

"I was only passing by. Then I heard you."

[justsopretty]

Clovis had liked to had think that the God of this world would pass his messages to his father, and the Emperor would be able to answer him somehow. Using whatever great spirit that was in this world to act as a messenger within the Imperial Family, but it did not seem to work.

He sighed a little to himself as he did not feel like he was given any answer and stared at Genesis, wondering why he did not enter. Perhaps, it was better that he didn't. Though, it was difficult to see what expression the other had to see him in such a state. He did take a step back, his hands folded behind his back. More out of nervousness than anything else.

"How much did you hear?"

[redpeacock]

"A little. You sound upset over something. Was it because of what you said last over the network?"

He watched him. Although the sunlight hid his profile, the blues of his eyes were clear-- almost feral in the way they glowed unnaturally. But the expression was not threatening.

[justsopretty]

"I thought I was extending an olive branch to those people."

His hand came to play with his hair just a little -- a nervous gesture since his clothes were already in order. He thought of pivoting on his heel so that his nervousness was not seen. But it really couldn't be helped. Clovis let out a soft sigh; it was at least nice to talk to someone who treated him as he should be treated. It reminded him of Bartley and how he treated him kindly as a child -- like beating him in chess. He just wanted to prove that he was as good as his brothers, so nice that he understood him.

And gave an indignant sniff before pivoting on his heel finally.

"But I suppose that it's fine that it wasn't taken."

[redpeacock]

"I see..."

He didn't move from where he stood, a hand holding firmly to the frame of the church's doors.

"Truly, gestures done with good intentions are often misread. I should know that myself," he chuckled softly, of course-- his was a more extreme form, rebellion, yet still it was an example of just that: good intentions fouled by inappropriate execution. He did not regret it, though. "After all, what is right in one world may not be the same in another. And look at where you are. You need to be more careful."

[justsopretty]

Clovis started fiddling with his cravat, letting out the occasional sigh that he thought was too soft to hear. He was feeling just a little weak -- he wanted to be pitied and cared for with his first real sense of defeat within this city. The idea that he had been part of something that had shamed his sister, even though he saw her act so diplomatic and strong in front of those people. It was really touching in a way to see her be so strong, and yet, he -- he wasn't even sure how to finish that sentence.

"Be more careful? What do you mean?" He looked over his shoulder, wondering if he should head home and get a hug or reassuring speech from his sister that he had done the right thing this time. But, no, he had to be strong for her, didn't he? "It seems like everyone in this world has decided what is right and what is wrong." That was right. It was everyone else's fault but his. And it was also nice that Genesis seemingly understood that he had good intentions.

[redpeacock]

"It is true, the people have spoken. And as a leader, you have to listen. Consider their words. They might be useful before you proclaim something again," he watched him. He could notice it. Although it was the right thing to say, something about how Clovis moved told him that it wasn't what he was looking for. He kept his tone gentle. The prince had been humiliated enough, it seemed.

[justsopretty]

"Hmph." A soft, noncommittal sound as he did suddenly feel just a little out of his element. This was worse than dealing with those Elevens under Lelouch's -- his eyes widen as it had been awhile since he thought of his brother. His breathing momentarily erratic as he remembered what had happened; the train of thought going to his latest fear. It was why he was in this place because he also was afraid of that monster of a man that the school had. He couldn't cross into holy ground, right?

Nice that his bag was to Genesis so that he could raise his hand to his mouth, allowing his body to shake before he fought to put it under control. He would not allow himself to be humiliated any more. No, he wouldn't fall apart in front of people and show his anger or fear. Straightening his shoulders, he smoothed out his hair. "Yes, well, that's that, I suppose."

[redpeacock]

He saw him tremble. It was enough to provoke him to ask...

"Are you alright?"

He wasn't the type to console others as it was usually him who needed the consolation, but it seemed that there was no one else for Clovis. As much as he used to mock him, he was still a person. He was no warrior, after all. He couldn't expect him to have the same tenacious spirit the other SOLDIERs had.

[justsopretty]

"I am just feeling a little out of sorts." His elder brother and sister would be ashamed of him to not act a little bit more with dignity and yet. He would not deny his initial desire to be pitied. Really, who should not pity a prince who has been humiliated as he has? Yes, he was still being self-absorbed and callous to the feelings of others, but he knew no other way to be.

Gesturing to Genesis, he decided that if he had someone who would be a sympathetic ear then it would be fine. Euphemia was good in listening to his concerns, but there were some things he felt he could not share with her for fear that she would become cross with him. Like calling the Elevens Elevens seemed to bother her now. Why was that? "You standing in the doorway is bothering me. Come in."

[redpeacock]

"I thought not to enter, seeing as this was holy ground," Genesis said with a little smile, taking some steps forward. He doesn't come very close to Clovis, though, standing several pews away.

"I don't blame you for feeling bad about this. What person wouldn't feel bad about mistakes?" He raised a hand in a gesture, letting it fall to his side a moment after he spoke.

[justsopretty]

"Are you afraid of holy ground?" His hand slid onto his hip, almost chiding the other. But he supposed that it was fine since he was using it to keep that monster away. Touching his face, he ensured that his skin was flawless of sweat and tears from being reminded of those two horrors before pivoting on his heel yet again.

"Princes do not make mistakes." And flipped his hair back behind his shoulder. "It is everyone else who misunderstands."

[redpeacock]

"It is a reverent kind of fear," He shifted his weight to one side of his body. He knew how it was to be in the presence of the holy, and believed that Clovis was communicating with his deity, whichever that may be. But it seems that he wasn't, seeing as he felt uneasy with him not coming into the building.

"Unfortunately for you, I know too much that people in power are not necessarily right all the time. There is no such thing as a human invulnerable to making mistakes." His gaze turned stern. Although Clovis had his back to him now, he was sure his tone of voice would carry that firm admonition to him. After all, Euphemia was the one to answer him when he replied to Clovis' announcement. And clearly she was struggling-- there was no mistake that Clovis was in the wrong this time.

[justsopretty]

"You need not worry so long as you are with me." The prince allowed himself to smile. This certainly was an interesting side that he had never seen of Genesis, and allowed himself to continue. He felt as though he was able to grab some footing. His hands made a few gestures in the air, pointing to the heavens and then to the surrounding area, as he spoke, "A prince is blessed by God because of the Emperor. As long as I am with you here, you needn't worry for all deities will shine faithfully and kindly upon me and those I am with, in turn