94Word Drama IX
Vauxhall Castle
Pendragon, Grand Duchy of Pennsylvania, Area 1 (North America), Britannian Empire
October 5, 2073 ATB
It was a grand spectacle, as well as an equally grand performance of sorts. Moving to the rhythm of their clashing swords, the two fencers moved and maneuvered, slashing, thrusting, and parrying in a virtual symphony of clangs and clashes. Both fighters continuously gauge the other, searching for openings to exploit, attacking, and defending with each movement. Had there been others to witness the match, they would have been awed by the fencers, but for certain reasons, the two duelists had chosen to have a private bout. After all, it wasn't every day the two friends could have a match unto themselves, especially given one's newfound line of duties and the other's ongoing education and mentoring under the Knight of One.
In the latter regard, Sir Suzaku Kururugi, Knight of Seven and White Knight of Britannia would have been the first to admit that his "friend" had made great progress under Sir Bismarck's tutelage. Not only in the mental fields of war and combat but also in the physical fields, best evidenced by the way his opponent kept up in their duel. A far cry from the physically weak child and then teenager, Suzaku best remembered him to be, although he did well to force such memories back into the present. This was not simply because the Knight of Seven was focused on overcoming his opponent, who executed a three-thrust combo that Suzaku was forced to repel twice and then evade the last. The Round then countered with a swipe at his opponent's chest, but the latter quickly stepped back, causing the slash to miss wide.
Additional clangs and maneuvers followed, even as Suzaku attempted to push the offensive that much more. Again, it was a strange feeling to exert himself against this particular opponent, who at one time could barely hold his own against even the most meager of combatants. Was it truly all due to the Knight of One's tutelage? Or had his "friend" at last grown and adapted to the ever-hostile world around them? As opposed to strictly having others fight and defend him?
Regardless, victory was ultimately the Knight of Seven's in the end. Upon executing an emboldened thrust, the opposite fencer made the mistake of overcompensation, which allowed Suzaku to strike him on the shoulder. That was two to his opponent's one, effectively ending the match.
"Damn it all," Lelouch exclaimed as he ripped off his helmet, his breathing heavy and face covered in sweat. "You are a cheat and a bastard, Knight of Seven!"
"And you are still a whelp and a weakling, Your Highness," Suzaku called back in equal jest, laughing at the accusations. "I believe this means I won our wager."
"Yes, yes," Lelouch waved him off before checking his wristwatch. "Though I'm afraid it'll have to wait until tomorrow."
To that, Suzaku let out a highly drawn sigh. "Another one, Your Highness?" he questioned in exasperation. "Is it at least the same one from three days ago?"
Despite the indirect accusation, Lelouch yet grinned. "Suzaku, Suzaku," he exclaimed as though the Knight of Seven failed to understand something so obvious. "You know my duties and responsibilities as the up-and-coming Black Prince."
As Suzaku took a sip of water from a nearby flask, he gazed back at the titular prince with utmost dubiousness. "I don't think your 'duties' and 'responsibilities' require you to bed every noblewoman in the Empire. One at a time, no less."
Lelouch shrugged. "Perhaps not every 'noblewoman,'" he responded as Suzaku tossed him the flask, to which Lelouch gratefully nodded before taking a swig. "There may be a few commoners that have attracted my interest…"
"Seriously, Lelouch, this is becoming a very bad habit of yours," Suzaku exclaimed in emerging frustration. "Can't you just pick one of these women and focus on an actual relationship?"
"Oh, I intend to, but only down the line," Lelouch admitted as he placed the flask on a nearby table. "Until then, however, my duties and responsibilities remain ever present."
Letting out another sigh, Suzaku could not help but ask. "And who is the lucky woman this time?"
Lelouch smirked. "A certain up-and-coming actress."
A cold swell entered Suzaku at that. "Not Shirley Fenette…!"
"No, no, Miya Hillmick," Lelouch again waved him off before considering. "From what I understand, she was classmates with Shirley Fenette back in Area 11…"
All but swallowing as the conversation took a very dark turn, Suzaku pressed on even if Lelouch failed to recognize it. "Did Milly arrange this?"
"She did," Lelouch said, his blissful ignorance remaining. "She said I could use a break from all the 'boring' and 'tedious' nobility."
"I see," Suzaku said, calming down a fair margin. Something Lelouch noticed but failed to understand the reasoning behind.
"You need not worry so much, Suzaku," the Black Prince assured his friend. "I'm just enjoying the time between Sunderland and wherever His Majesty will send me next. Eventually, I will settle down with the woman I am to love, but until then…
The prince stopped short as he felt various images, albeit images set upon the same silhouette, enter his mind. That of a woman who possessed short red hair…
"Love…" Lelouch started to stammer, his hand raising to his left eye, which suddenly began to burn. "Love…!"
"Lelouch?" Suzaku exclaimed, now wholly unsure of what was happening before him. Could the worst…?
Flinging his head upward, Lelouch writhed in open pain as the images came and went through his consciousness.
That woman, dressed in a school uniform, attending classes and meeting with a gathering of friends…
That woman, dressed in a black and silver military uniform, went into battle on foot and in a cockpit…
That woman, dressed in a red pilot suit, gun drawn and gazing upward toward…
That woman…
Letting out a harsh cry from the pain, Lelouch felt himself drown as additional yet somehow connected imagery soon followed. That of another woman, who possessed long green hair, dressed in prison uniform and emerging from a tank. Several other men and women, all dressed in the same black and silver uniform, gazed toward him in allegiance and expectation. And then, an even strange image: that of Suzaku, dressed in a white pilot suit of his own, his gun drawn toward…
All of it ended abruptly with a flash of silver. Followed by all-encompassing darkness.
John Colahan Army Medical Center
Pendragon, Grand Duchy of Pennsylvania, Area 1 (North America), Britannian Empire
October 6, 2073 ATB
As he looked through the glass into the medical ward, where Lelouch lay, the entire left side of his face covered in bandages, Suzaku could not quite understand what he was feeling at that moment. There was turmoil inside him, but he couldn't figure out what had caused it or where it was directed toward. Was it because he had inflicted such a grievous wound on his "friend"? Was it because of the terror he had felt from that "close call" when, for the briefest of moments, the Black Prince ceased to be as the Demon King attempted to reemerge?
Or, perhaps most damningly, was it because of his memories and recollection of that single word Lelouch had called out before the Knight of Seven acted? The memories of a certain pink-haired princess dressed in a flowing white gown…
"How is he?" Sir Bismarck Waldstein, Knight of One and Warmaster of Britannia, spoke up from behind Suzaku.
Upon the latter's entry, the Knight of Seven turned and saluted before answering. "The doctors say he'll recover," he said with undisguised regret. "Unfortunately, it's doubtful he will ever see through his left eye again."
To that, Bismarck smiled reassuringly toward his subordinate. "You need not worry, Suzaku. Eyes holding the Power of the King will regenerate on their own," he explained, gazing over his bedded pupil. "Though I imagine it will leave a rather prominent scar."
Suzaku sniffed in response, now feeling even more turmoil. On one hand, a part of him was relieved that he had not inflicted serious harm upon Lelouch. On the other hand, his Geass, no matter how sealed and restrained, would remain…
"Did the doctors say how long his recovery will take?" Bismarck questioned further.
"Anywhere between one to three months," Suzaku again answered. "Given the subject matter, I imagine it will be much quicker."
Bismarck nodded in concurrence. He then asked a more prudent question. "Do you know what triggered it?"
Suzaku opened his mouth to answer but stopped short. Again, his memories were brought on by that last word Lelouch had uttered, sifting through his mind. Alongside a certain meeting within…
"Never mind," Bismarck responded dismissively. "It's probably of no great consequence."
Feeling some measure of relief, Suzaku turned back toward the ward, where he saw both his sleeping "friend" and his own reflection upon the glass. The memories and recollection, as well as the emotions and turmoil, continued unabated.