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[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

Lelouch had been quite busy following the battle for Zokez II. He spent most of his time in the cockpit of Shinkirou, analyzing all the data it had recorded. The main problem: There was no unified force, one single head of operations, coordinating the ground, air, space, support, and salvage missions that had been fought all over the former resort planet. This was inexcusable. This would be repaired and promptly. Thus, the reason for his analysis. Once he had finished this work, dissecting how these beasts move, determining their method of communication, and attempting to find a weakness, he would take it to whatever currently passed as a command structure, and attempt to become that head. He was not going to allow his survival to hinge upon this kind of disorganization. The stakes being as they were, it was inexcusable.

But, even a focused emperor needed a break. He left the hangar, and made his way back to the room he shared with Euphie. That was yet another problem he had to address. This ship was teeming with Japanese, and it was only a matter of time before it became a huge problem. He would likely have to eventually tell her about all that had occurred. Before Kallen did.

Thus, he was pulled out of his thoughts as he let himself into the room he shared with his beloved half-sister. However, he wasn't prepared for what he saw. She was midway through dressing. He whirled around, putting his back to her. "Euphemia, I'm sorry!" Anyone that could see his face would have found it a most surprising, uncharacteristic shade of red.

Comments

[genociding.livejournal.com]

When Euphemia heard someone entering her room, she did perhaps the worst possible thing she could: She whirled around to face him. And then, once she realized what she'd done, she let out a small shriek, and quickly spun back around, almost in synch with Lelouch.

"Ah, Lelouch-- it's all right! You didn't mean to!" With that, she hurriedly set to finishing dressing -- she was putting her plantsuit back on, after spending some time without it in favor of ordinary clothing. But the ship was just too warm and humid that she couldn't stand it without the plantsuit's temperature regulation. On the plus side, she had a rather cute green dress that went well with it.

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

He was generally frozen. "Ah. Let me know when you're ready." While she dressed, he took a few deep breaths to attempt to regain his composure.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

She finished pulling the plantsuit back on -- it was more difficult than it had been to get it off -- and then donned the dress over top. "I'm ready. I'm sorry about that..." And she turned around again to face her brother, her red face making her basically look like the anthropomorphic representation of Christmas when put together with her clothes.

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

He was more or less under control again. He noted idly that her hair was completely loose. Which, as much as she had, that seemed a problematic proposition. But he didn't say anything about that for now. "How have you been, Euphemia?" he loosened the top buttons of his shirt. It hadn't been so stifling in the hangar, but now it was ridiculous. He absolutely refused to wear that damned plant suit if it could be at all avoided.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

Running a hand through her hair, she smiled a bit distractedly and took a seat on her bed. "Ah... I've been fine. Did you hear about the elections? I was thinking, maybe I should try running for a council position."

And then there was the thing that was bothering her. But she didn't want to hassle Lelouch.

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

"You would do well with it," he told her. "You may be just the kind of person they need. I'm considering a position for Captain myself." Not particularly surprising, really.

Lelouch went over and sat near her, but at a comfortable distance.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"For captain, really?" She smiled more genuinely; she didn't have any doubt that he'd be a good pick for the position. "You'd be a wonderful captain. If you run, I'll definitely vote for you."

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

He got up, and moved toward what had become a kind of vanity area. He collected a brush, a comb, and some sundry pins and ties, and came back to the bed. He climbed up on it, and squatted on his knees behind her. He began combing it through in preparation for creating her signature buns. He chuckled a bit at her comment. "I know you would. And of course I would return the favor."

[genociding.livejournal.com]

It was a good thing more of their siblings weren't awake, or they might be accused of nepotism.

Euphie sighed a bit as Lelouch started doing her hair; "Or you could become a hairdresser. I'm sure the ship could use one of those," she ribbed gently. Of course it was something he'd be good at, given how much he'd had to look after Nunnally. "I'm thinking of putting together a platform message like the ones that other candidates have written up. Will you look over it for me?"

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

"I'm certain you'll be able to craft a compelling message. But I'd be happy to help in any way I can." He smiled at the rest of her comments, though.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"And I'll do the same for you," she replied, tempted to nod as she did but managing not to, so as not to interfere with Lelouch's hairdoing.

Though... she supposed she'd have to address that one point eventually. Sooner was better than later. Her voice turned sober. "There's just... one thing I'm not sure of, Lelouch."

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

Here it comes. He made a point of keeping his tone light and airy, not revealing that he has any indication of what may be coming. "What is it?"

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"I think something's wrong with me," she admitted. "It's only happened twice, but I've been having... blackouts, I guess, where I can't remember anything. It happened right after I podpopped, and then again while I was shopping on Zokez II."

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

And there it was. He made a small noise of consideration. "What was the last thing you remember before you blacked out?" You coward, he accused himself. But this would give him time to find a way to inform her of what he had done to her.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"Um..." She put a hand to her lips while she thought. "The first time, it was while we were looking for some clothing in the possessions area. When I came to, your classmate Kallen was standing there. And the second time was while I was clothes shopping..."

Her eyes went wide. "Do you think... Lelouch, could it be?"

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

"What do you think?" He was uncertain of what kind of conclusion she could have reached. Based upon what he'd been able to calculate from repeated use of the Geass, she should not remember enough of their conversation immediately preceding his accidental influence to be able to accurately blame him for it. At least, when it was not active. He wondered, though, about when she was within sight of someone Japanese.

This required testing. But that was later.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"Could it have something to do with clothing?" she wondered, absentmindedly tilting her head. "I've never really cared so much about what I wear that I would black out, but perhaps after being naked in podsleep for so long it's a natural reaction."

Well, no one ever claimed Euphemia li Britannia wasn't somewhat of a ditz.

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

Lelouch chuckled a bit fondly. Of course, she hadn't realized the other common thread was that she was speaking to someone Japanese. "While waking up naked was alarming, I'm not sure if that were traumatic enough to cause blackouts." He started pinning up a bun on one side.

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"Oh..." And it wasn't happening to anyone else... So that had been rather silly. "I'm worried though, Lelouch. What do you think could be happening?"

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

"I honestly don't know," he lied. He knew this was reckless, and a horrible idea besides, but he would not tell her until all the evidence pointed in her direction.

But briefly, he caught himself in a reverie of putting up Nunnally's hair. He forcibly pulled himself out of it. That train of thought would only cause him to lose his focus. Nunnally was safe in a pod, and she would stay that way until this conflict was over. Then, depending on what sort of world they received, he would make his decision.

But first, he had the problem before him to address. "But everyone reacts to things in different ways. Let me know next time you have a black out."

[genociding.livejournal.com]

"Mm," she replied non-committally, not quite reassured. "I will."

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

He reached around and turned her head toward him. "Cheer up, Euphemia. This ship needs a councilwoman like you to be strong for them."

[genociding.livejournal.com]

She reacted with surprise; that was the truth, wasn't it? She couldn't doubt herself or wallow in self-worry. "Right. Thank you, Lelouch." And she smiled at him. "I'm so lucky to have you around."

[iflingmyhat.livejournal.com]

"That makes two of us," he replied, honestly. But where his guilt ended and his delight in her presence began was a thin, wavering line.