In which I dream of vampires and getting married in Indonesia
Someone remind me to go to the library ASAP, I need to get started on research - the finer points of COOL culture of Japan/US.
Here I was thinking: YAY 15 degrees! Good Spring day to go out -gets ready to go out, spots a pop up saying download is complete, goes to check, gapes, drops laundry on the ground, clicks... point of no return - Code Geass, the first anime to do this to me.
20 minutes later, I'm completely depressed, laundry in a box next to my feet, curtains drawn and tucked in bed bcos it's too much to bear. I want my heart back. I want my heart back Sunrise. You can't seriously end it like this bcos so many loose ends untied. What's the deal with C.C? Suzaku as Zero? No memory Anya? DeadOrAlive Sayoko? And all those who knew about Zero Requiem? Back story for Lloyd and Lakshata? And you mean Cornelia will let Schneizel stay Geassed or allow Nunnally to become the new Empress with Zero at her beck and call? Please tell me I'm not reading too much into an anime text becos I feel like I could write a whole fandom essay on Code Geass. And I would have loved to do this research for my last paper. R2 why you do this to me?
But referencing back to my paper, here's my two cents worth. In anime, ANYTHING can happen. ANYTHING is supposed to happen. You can get stabbed but still live. You can be in the range of an nuclear warhead and still survive. You can dodge bullets even if you're mere human. Miracles do happen and they happen plenty of times in anime. That's our relentless hope. So in short, Lelouch lives. Lelouch lives in my world and knowing him, he will find a way back to Nunnally. Becos everything was for her.
I've never been the sort to love lead characters and Geass is the first to do this, not even Yagami Raito comes close. My tribute:
Title: The story about a boy, his sister and his best friend.
Rating: PG-13 for implications, death and everything that's not made of hearts and starshine.
Characters: Lelouch vi Britannia, Nunnally vi Britannia and Kururugi Suzaku
Summary: The past, present and future gather for that decisive moment of crucifixion.
A/N: Spoilers EVERYWHERE. I don't do R2 justice but I needed to get it out of my system. Reference to previous fic. And thanks to windstalk
The Past
The sudden storm takes them by surprise and they are in a cave near Kururugi Shrine when Nunnally tells him that he is her sky. Lelouch counters saying that she is his Apollo. Suzaku sits beside them, an odd ball of knitted brows and child-like displeasure. Lelouch does not notice. The rain pelts down harder and he moves to hold Nunnally close. The crack of thunder silences them.
A beat and then a whisper, "Then what about me?" It sounds almost like a petty whine.
"Suzaku-san?" Nunnally presses her lips into a thin line, all pensive in her thoughts. Even in her state of disability and exile, she is considerate.
But Lelouch laughs and the lines on Suzaku's forehead become obvious. Even in his state of abandonment and loss, he is a prince. So as if it is the only appropriate answer and over the noise of the rain, Lelouch declares pompously, "Suzaku is the rain."
Suzaku grimaces at the comparison. He doesn't like the rain. It keeps him indoors, meaning extra training with Toudou-san. He is about to interject when Nunnally claps her hands, a vision of bliss and relief. And immediately Suzaku feels like a drowned rat.
"It's perfect Suzaku-san," Nunnally chirps as she reaches out for them, clasping Lelouch's hand and his together. Suzaku doesn't fight her. As much as he doesn't like Lelouch (stuck up Britannian snot!), he likes Nunnally. The little cave seems to brighten at her cheer and she draws them closer. The children huddle but it doesn't make the cold any less bearable.
But Lelouch is all smiles, smug and knowing at her side. And Suzaku's features are a variety of indignance and disappointment. For a moment, he chides himself for the thought that wormed its way into his head - he is glad that Nunnally cannot see. Suzaku wonders what so great about the rain when all it does is make everything wet.
"Onii-sama loves the rain," she whispers, all secretive and mysterious, and Lelouch's smile recedes faster than the shoreline at low tide. The mirth in Suzaku's eyes threaten to burn a hole into his tender pride but Lelouch's gaze is made of childish defiance. He clears his throat loudly, stretching the sound longer than necessary but Nunnally pretends to be oblivious and the rain helps her. Suzaku chuckles.
"Do you know? He used to get sick every time it rained. He would take an umbrella and tell the maids that he was going to visit Euphie Nee-sama but every time he came back, his umbrella would have been eaten by palace horses or stolen by guard dogs."
"He would be soaked to the bone, hair sticking to his forehead, clothes all muddy and Mother would..." Nunnally stops abruptly, as though forcefully applying mental brakes. Her smile fades a notch at the memories of bygone days and Lelouch grips their hands tighter, not caring if Suzaku hurt or not. But Suzaku squeezes back, a silent reassurance and the pain makes them feel alive.
"No Nunnally," Lelouch's tone is soft but firm. Suzaku feels his heart swell at the affection in those violet eyes.
"The visits were real. I just took a longer route back and got... distracted..." Lelouch's words are lost in the cacophony of the rain.
Seeing Suzaku's smirk, Lelouch hastily adds, "But one of my umbrellas did get stolen by the guard dogs!"
Suzaku laughs and Nunnally breaks into a smile. The clouds lift but the rain doesn't stop and they no longer mind the cold.
The Present
Lelouch loves the rain. He is fascinated by the way it heals the Earth, replenishes Mother Nature and washes everything away.
So Lelouch prays for rain on the day he dies. He doesn't want to be able to tell the difference between Nunnally's tears and raindrops. But heaven is unkind to a sinner like him and he is no longer the man of miracles. And the sky is cloudless, a sea of clearest blue, it reminds him of his mother's eyes.
He decides then that maybe, it is a good day to die.
***
It is when he slumps against Suzaku that Lelouch remembers. But it's too late and the words don't come, so he never gets to tell Suzaku the real reason behind his love for the rain. He figures it doesn't matter. It isn't the first time they parted with things unsaid.
Only when it rains, does heaven and earth collide.
Just like the moment when Suzaku pushes past, they collide, a mess of perpendicular lines but their eyes don't meet. The deed is done, the sword is in place and Suzaku is reborn in the very image he abhors. Lelouch is selfish till the end and Suzaku hates him for that courage. He doesn't turn to watch Lelouch stumble and fall from grace. Because Suzaku is weak. He is afraid that his body will betray his mind, that he will reach out and catch his friend. But the mask hides his fears and he plays the role of the resurrected hero flawlessly. Zero swings the sword clean and stands tall, he only has eyes for the future. Lelouch's blood stains the ground he walks on and it's darker than he imagined.
The Future
Suzaku is the drizzling Rain that sends him crashing back to Earth, into the arms of the Sun which the Sky cannot live without.
Suzaku is the torrential Rain that sweeps away every thorn in their path, cleansing everything new again.
It is no coincidence that Lelouch is the Sky, their Sky, a Sky that brings forth the gentle Rain and the warm Sunshine for the hope of tomorrow.
Here I was thinking: YAY 15 degrees! Good Spring day to go out -gets ready to go out, spots a pop up saying download is complete, goes to check, gapes, drops laundry on the ground, clicks... point of no return - Code Geass, the first anime to do this to me.
20 minutes later, I'm completely depressed, laundry in a box next to my feet, curtains drawn and tucked in bed bcos it's too much to bear. I want my heart back. I want my heart back Sunrise. You can't seriously end it like this bcos so many loose ends untied. What's the deal with C.C? Suzaku as Zero? No memory Anya? DeadOrAlive Sayoko? And all those who knew about Zero Requiem? Back story for Lloyd and Lakshata? And you mean Cornelia will let Schneizel stay Geassed or allow Nunnally to become the new Empress with Zero at her beck and call? Please tell me I'm not reading too much into an anime text becos I feel like I could write a whole fandom essay on Code Geass. And I would have loved to do this research for my last paper. R2 why you do this to me?
But referencing back to my paper, here's my two cents worth. In anime, ANYTHING can happen. ANYTHING is supposed to happen. You can get stabbed but still live. You can be in the range of an nuclear warhead and still survive. You can dodge bullets even if you're mere human. Miracles do happen and they happen plenty of times in anime. That's our relentless hope. So in short, Lelouch lives. Lelouch lives in my world and knowing him, he will find a way back to Nunnally. Becos everything was for her.
I've never been the sort to love lead characters and Geass is the first to do this, not even Yagami Raito comes close. My tribute:
Title: The story about a boy, his sister and his best friend.
Rating: PG-13 for implications, death and everything that's not made of hearts and starshine.
Characters: Lelouch vi Britannia, Nunnally vi Britannia and Kururugi Suzaku
Summary: The past, present and future gather for that decisive moment of crucifixion.
A/N: Spoilers EVERYWHERE. I don't do R2 justice but I needed to get it out of my system. Reference to previous fic. And thanks to windstalk
The Past
The sudden storm takes them by surprise and they are in a cave near Kururugi Shrine when Nunnally tells him that he is her sky. Lelouch counters saying that she is his Apollo. Suzaku sits beside them, an odd ball of knitted brows and child-like displeasure. Lelouch does not notice. The rain pelts down harder and he moves to hold Nunnally close. The crack of thunder silences them.
A beat and then a whisper, "Then what about me?" It sounds almost like a petty whine.
"Suzaku-san?" Nunnally presses her lips into a thin line, all pensive in her thoughts. Even in her state of disability and exile, she is considerate.
But Lelouch laughs and the lines on Suzaku's forehead become obvious. Even in his state of abandonment and loss, he is a prince. So as if it is the only appropriate answer and over the noise of the rain, Lelouch declares pompously, "Suzaku is the rain."
Suzaku grimaces at the comparison. He doesn't like the rain. It keeps him indoors, meaning extra training with Toudou-san. He is about to interject when Nunnally claps her hands, a vision of bliss and relief. And immediately Suzaku feels like a drowned rat.
"It's perfect Suzaku-san," Nunnally chirps as she reaches out for them, clasping Lelouch's hand and his together. Suzaku doesn't fight her. As much as he doesn't like Lelouch (stuck up Britannian snot!), he likes Nunnally. The little cave seems to brighten at her cheer and she draws them closer. The children huddle but it doesn't make the cold any less bearable.
But Lelouch is all smiles, smug and knowing at her side. And Suzaku's features are a variety of indignance and disappointment. For a moment, he chides himself for the thought that wormed its way into his head - he is glad that Nunnally cannot see. Suzaku wonders what so great about the rain when all it does is make everything wet.
"Onii-sama loves the rain," she whispers, all secretive and mysterious, and Lelouch's smile recedes faster than the shoreline at low tide. The mirth in Suzaku's eyes threaten to burn a hole into his tender pride but Lelouch's gaze is made of childish defiance. He clears his throat loudly, stretching the sound longer than necessary but Nunnally pretends to be oblivious and the rain helps her. Suzaku chuckles.
"Do you know? He used to get sick every time it rained. He would take an umbrella and tell the maids that he was going to visit Euphie Nee-sama but every time he came back, his umbrella would have been eaten by palace horses or stolen by guard dogs."
"He would be soaked to the bone, hair sticking to his forehead, clothes all muddy and Mother would..." Nunnally stops abruptly, as though forcefully applying mental brakes. Her smile fades a notch at the memories of bygone days and Lelouch grips their hands tighter, not caring if Suzaku hurt or not. But Suzaku squeezes back, a silent reassurance and the pain makes them feel alive.
"No Nunnally," Lelouch's tone is soft but firm. Suzaku feels his heart swell at the affection in those violet eyes.
"The visits were real. I just took a longer route back and got... distracted..." Lelouch's words are lost in the cacophony of the rain.
Seeing Suzaku's smirk, Lelouch hastily adds, "But one of my umbrellas did get stolen by the guard dogs!"
Suzaku laughs and Nunnally breaks into a smile. The clouds lift but the rain doesn't stop and they no longer mind the cold.
The Present
Lelouch loves the rain. He is fascinated by the way it heals the Earth, replenishes Mother Nature and washes everything away.
So Lelouch prays for rain on the day he dies. He doesn't want to be able to tell the difference between Nunnally's tears and raindrops. But heaven is unkind to a sinner like him and he is no longer the man of miracles. And the sky is cloudless, a sea of clearest blue, it reminds him of his mother's eyes.
He decides then that maybe, it is a good day to die.
***
It is when he slumps against Suzaku that Lelouch remembers. But it's too late and the words don't come, so he never gets to tell Suzaku the real reason behind his love for the rain. He figures it doesn't matter. It isn't the first time they parted with things unsaid.
Only when it rains, does heaven and earth collide.
Just like the moment when Suzaku pushes past, they collide, a mess of perpendicular lines but their eyes don't meet. The deed is done, the sword is in place and Suzaku is reborn in the very image he abhors. Lelouch is selfish till the end and Suzaku hates him for that courage. He doesn't turn to watch Lelouch stumble and fall from grace. Because Suzaku is weak. He is afraid that his body will betray his mind, that he will reach out and catch his friend. But the mask hides his fears and he plays the role of the resurrected hero flawlessly. Zero swings the sword clean and stands tall, he only has eyes for the future. Lelouch's blood stains the ground he walks on and it's darker than he imagined.
The Future
Suzaku is the drizzling Rain that sends him crashing back to Earth, into the arms of the Sun which the Sky cannot live without.
Suzaku is the torrential Rain that sweeps away every thorn in their path, cleansing everything new again.
It is no coincidence that Lelouch is the Sky, their Sky, a Sky that brings forth the gentle Rain and the warm Sunshine for the hope of tomorrow.