[.13.] you're a stray for the salvation army [VIDEO;; week 19, day 1]

[dramatic_cape]

[ So, Kannagara network, you may have noticed that Lelouch has not seemed to be around much after the end of the massive newcomer incursion earlier last week. In fact, he has barely been seen at all since then

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[Audio - Private]

[smiling_umino]

[The strong will always prey on the weak, when they least expect it, or just when they think they've gotten things sorted out, or are doing okay. The gods strike. Or the people strike. Or really, the gods, themselves. If there's one thing Iruka has noticed, it is the fact that the people around him are very… religious. Very supportive of these gods. Or whatever. All praise to the heavens indeed.]

One day, Lelouch-san, we will be next. Cast aways, rejects, whatever. Perhaps then, it is a comfort to know that one doesn't truly die here. It'll only be a matter of time.

[Because if the gods can give you something, they can easily take it away.]

Regardless, about your friend. You must have an idea of how Yomisato functions, its people. Compared to Yomisato, Mizusato is safer. Have you considered?

[Audio - Private]

[dramatic_cape]

Trust me, I have considered. But it has to be Yomisato. There are reasons.

[ Lelouch's voice sounds strained. ]

[Audio - Private]

[smiling_umino]

A few weeks ago a pair of men were talking about establishing some sort of business and providing shelter for those like us, outsiders. Maybe you should look in to it. A few of my comrades are in Yomisato, I will pass this message on to them on your behalf.

[A brief pause.]

May I ask who your friend is, and what exactly are you protecting them from?

[Audio - Private]

[dramatic_cape]

Like us, she was in the news lately. [ Lelouch appears to be speaking in a very low voice, as if trying not to be overheard - is that the sound of a baby crying distantly in the background? ] Akino Hanabi. There's a price on her head. If she's found in a Celestial village, she'll be beaten to within an inch of her life and exiled to Yomisato anyway. And they'll take her child, Iruka. They'll take her baby and have it raised with guardians deemed suitable.

[ It is almost begging, the tone in Lelouch's voice, a muted plea for understanding. Contrasted with his usual polite yet opaque mannerisms, it is one of the most strikingly sincere things Iruka has probably ever heard him say. ]

I need to help them.

[ video ]

[allmyblack]

[ Funny thing is, Schuldig recognizes this voice. He has heard it go on and on and on within his limited headspace. It's a contradictory experience to hear someone with a clear and strong narration in their inner world of thoughts. Usually people just babble, sometimes scream, or sob or laugh, all of this in a very long-winded stream of consciousness, which often makes no sense and there are constant - ooh, cake - type of interruptions.

It makes him itch to listen to someone with a strong voice. It makes his skin crawl in that special way of bad turning to good.

It also makes him ache, mind pulsing in time with this person's thoughts, following, attached...

He recognizes Lelouch from a throng of people in Yomisato.

And can't help but open the recording. He grins in a friendly manner. ]

People are the same whatever the world. Don't you think it's more a case of weak praying on the weak? Strong rise above the needs of a society or turn to lead it.

[ video ]

[dramatic_cape]

"Strength" is a surprisingly vague word, don't you think? In the end, it is society which determines what strengths are valued and what are undesirable.

[ Lelouch doesn't think he's ever spoken with this man before. ]

I don't believe we've met. My name is Lelouch Lamperouge.

[ video ]

[allmyblack]

But vague terms are necessary when discussing theory, are they not? In the end, that is mostly what we can do. Whatever happens to be driving a society, it's not strength or the accuracy of our theory, it's mass mentality. What makes the society strong, however, is the collection of weak.

My, my... society is, and always will be, just a sheep in wolf's fur. Guidance is what they want.

[ A pause, almost thoughtful one, only, it happens to end in a low chuckle. ]

Introductions, for example, being a habit of conventional interaction. My name is Christian. [ Yeah, right. ] It's nice to meet you, Lelouch.... Lamperouge.

[ video ]

[dramatic_cape]

[ Well, isn't this a pleasant individual. In fact, all that tripe about the mass mentality and the necessity of the strong reminds Lelouch of some of his more unpleasant siblings.

Oh, in fact, he sounds just like Governor Calaris, and all those diatribes Lelouch endured during that year, that empty, burned-out year. It was so satisfying to drop Babel Tower on his head. So very satisfying indeed. ]

Christian. It's a pleasure. And what a very interesting view of society you have. So would you say you consider yourself one of the "masses," or something... above?

[firebendingtea]

People fear what they don't know. Or who. Especially if they are strange or different

[dramatic_cape]

It's the same in my world, as well. In the end, it's the same everywhere.

[ More quietly: ]

What do you plan to do, Iroh? Will you take up with the Celestials, or strike out on your own? [ Iroh's an older man - though Lelouch has seen him spit fire and channel lightning, the idea of him being set upon by an angry mob of younger, stronger people doesn't sit well in Lelouch's mind. Especially since Iroh's natural tendency to offer help and goodwill might end up drawing more attention to him. ]

[firebendingtea]

I don't believe in being chased out of places where I've made my home, Lelouch. Unless I am needed elsewhere, I will remain where I've settled.

[He'd been needed elsewhere when Zuko needed him. Then, his place was with his nephew. And the Fire Nation had to remove him from Ba Sing Sei in chains, and he had taken back the city under the White Lotus that he once had failed to taken under the Fire Nation, just to return to his new home. Home was funny like that. And he'd been living here for almost five months. Spirits help him, it was starting to seem like home.]

[video]

[dramatic_cape]

[ A nod, and a faint smile. Well, well, well, Iroh, it seems you're made of quite the strong stuff. ]

I understand.

Good luck to you, then.

[keptdown]

[ the most hesitant video feed in the world! blinking. he doesn't have any business saying anything, but -- well -- he doesn't really know. nothing on the news, for Suzaku doesn't make it his business to talk to them anyhow-- ]

If you want, perhaps- [ ... what is he doing? sighing, then, aggravated at himself more than anything else. ] -- your friend could stay with me. You'll have to tell me what's going on, though. [ of course. ]

I'll be in Yomisato for a long while, anyway.

[video] || [private]

[dramatic_cape]

[ There is nothing, nothing in this video, nothing at all, that indicates how Lelouch is feeling on hearing that Suzaku has moved into Yomisato. Nothing at all. ]

I'm trying to find this woman a long-term home here. If she's found in a Celestial village, they'll send her here anyway, but they won't allow her to keep her child. [ A shadow passes over Lelouch's face - you, Suzaku, of all people, know why he feels this is important. ]

I appreciate that you're offering, but it's probably a better idea to help her find somewhere more permanent. [ In case they come. It's almost as if Lelouch doesn't know who he's more concerned for - if people might come for Suzaku and find Hanabi, or vice versa. ] If you hear anything, let me know? As quietly as possible.

[video] || [private]

[keptdown]

Ah. I see. [ quick, clear acknowledgment. makes sense.

but, it's almost as if Lelouch is insinuating that Suzaku is incapable of protecting someone now -- and while that gets him where it counts, he lets it go. he lets it go, will fall asleep tonight, dream of blood, wake up, and get dressed through this mess. only because he doesn't have it in him to feel more than a twinge of anger, maybe, body too used to being calm and unflappable, too used to accepting that things won't work out between himself and (Lelouch) the people around him.

the sole exception, of course, being C.C. of course, but she was always the exception. somehow, that's just the way it is. ]

As you wish. If I hear anything, I'll contact you immediately. [ he'd roll this eyes if it weren't a serious discussion, and if he were hiding behind Zero's mask. but, neither the former nor the latter were the case. ] As quietly as possible.

[video] || [private]

[dramatic_cape]

[ It isn't that Lelouch doesn't believe Suzaku is capable of protecting them - in fact, if he was looking for that, Suzaku would be the first person he'd think of. It's that this is more than a temporary thing that might blow over, this is the rest of someone's life being spent in hiding, at least long enough for her child to grow up, and Lelouch can't expect Suzaku to stay here for that long. That's absurd. He would never ask such a thing. ]

Thanks. I'll let you know in the meantime if I find a place.

[ video ]

[equivalentfaith]

Things are like that everywhere. Being different puts a target on your head, sometimes literally.

[He pauses for a moment, curious about the female voice heard from offscreen.]

That's the lady, isn't it? The one in the news?

I could make a shelter for her there somewhere, if you want. Wouldn't exactly be anything fancy but it'd be livable.

[video] || [private]

[dramatic_cape]

[ Lelouch immediately privatizes his response. ]

Yes, it is, so it's best to keep this private. [ Tone of faint reproach. ]

[ But Lelouch doesn't want to pick a fight, Ed, he just wants to help this woman and get her out of his house as soon as possible. His presence as an outsider is conspicuous enough - he doesn't want to keep her in danger like this. ]

Anyway - I appreciate the offer, but the idea is to set her up somewhere in Yomisato where she can blend in with her child. I know building her a new shelter would be easy, but it would attract attention, which is the opposite of the point.

[ His voice softens. ]

Honestly, though, I do appreciate the offer. If we can't find her a place within the next few days, I may call you back and take you up on that offer.