VoiceMail

[zerointegrity]

You've reached Lelouch.

I'm unable to answer right now, so please leave me a message. Your call is very important to me and I'll get back in touch with you as soon as I can.

Comments

ic.

[keptdown]

[ after a loooong pause in which he forgot what he was going to say: ] I, uh, need to talk to you about... some things. [ way to be specific. ] Whenever it's convenient for you. If that's alright.

calling you back. hi.

[zerointegrity]

[He raises an eyebrow after listening to the voicemail, pausing a moment before deciding to call his ex-knight back.]

You needed to talk to me? About?

oh hey man what's up.

[keptdown]

[ o... h. ]

Something important [ to him ]- but I wanted to talk to you face-to-face.

nm. chillin.

[zerointegrity]

[Strange...]

Would you like to come over sometime tonight?

audio.

[maskmastery]

[There's a pause, before Lelouch will hear that familiar but perhaps unwanted voice.

Schneizel voice is very, very dry, and a little distracted.]

Have you ever noticed that situations have a habit of... escalating, around us?

audio.

[zerointegrity]

[Not expecting his older brother to leave him a voice-mail (or ever call him), Lelouch is a bit surprised when he hears his Schneizel's voice. He decides to call him back because, well, this must be relatively important... right?]

Indeed, it seems to be a common occurrence. Is there a problem, Schneizel?

audio.

[maskmastery]

[Another pause.

A soft sigh.

He smiles.]

Do you know, I just had to eplain the concept of a bank card to someone?

[guess who. go on. guess.]

audio.

[zerointegrity]

[A moment of silence]

I imagine that the somebody you had to explain the concept of a bank card to happens to be one of our relatives, for I don't think you would call me to tell me about such a conversation with any other resident who has no knowledge of modern finances.

[Positively ashamed.]

[failedprince]

Lelouch! We're going to Aurora's to listen to her sing. Please, wear something nice.

[voice]

[zerointegrity]

We are? [Hah!] When will we be doing this, Clovis?

[And when have I ever not dressed appropriately? It's not like I would appear in front of my brothers dressed in rags.]

[voice]

[failedprince]

We are. Perhaps, tomorrow? Or Friday?

[More princely, please.]

[voice]

[zerointegrity]

And if I've already made plans?

[Don't be so critical, Clovis.]

[maskmastery]

Lelouch.

[There's the faintest trace of warmth in his voice when he greets him, but it's distant, seeming little more than courtesy.]

I've found myself rather behind on current affairs, I regret to say. [For all Lelouch is supposedly an enemy, he doesn't seem at all ashamed to make such an admittance.]

I wondered if I'd missed anything of note. Pertaining to our family, perhaps.

[zerointegrity]

Ah, Schneizel, you're finally awake. [A short pause] Did you sleep well?

[A heavy sigh]

Have you spoken with Clovis yet?

[maskmastery]

[A twist of his mouth, amused.] Difficult to say.

[Curious, an eyebrow lifts. Not that this is unepected.] I have not had the chance to speak to him properly.

[zerointegrity]

He made a broadcast approximately two weeks ago offering the title of Honorary Britannian to anybody who wanted to become one.

[It pains Lelouch just thinking about this.]

He then had the audacity to say that there was no need to wish for such a great honor, declaring the entirety of Somarium to now be part of the Britannian Empire.

[He quickly adds]

Ah, and he still wants us to play that duet in the recital hall.

ic. - is this a text or voice or video?

[zerointegrity]

I felt it was best to speak with you privately about this matter since you're one of C.C.'s acquaintances. C.C. went missing nearly 6 days ago. Her body was found later that day, making her the fourth victim in the recent string of murders. I don't know if she'll return to Somarium like some do or be gone for good like several others.

[ voice ]

[zerointegrity]

[It takes him a moment to reply. Jade is clearly upset and he's not exactly sure what he can say to help matters. He still hasn't gotten over the fact that C.C. is dead.]

Death isn't always the end in Somarium. I've seen several people die and return, alive and fully healed, days later... but there have been others who have not returned after death. There's nothing you or I can do except wait and hope she returns.