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Entry tags:
TDM 003
| TDM 003: #BEACHBUMS |
I. BEACH  Welcome arrivals, new and old! The skies on Erku may be perpetually gray, but the weather has taken a sudden turn to summertime heat. Fortunately, soaring temperatures have chased away more of the strange fog that conceals so much of the island, unveiling a charming, sandy cove dotted here and there with rustic love shacks. These shabby little lean-tos are dusty and sparse, but they provide everything one (or two, wink wink) might need for a little relief from the sun. Just don’t wander too far... that fog has memory-loss properties. II. DRINKS  The 'bots are very apologetic about the whole fog incident, and they are trying to get on the new arrivals' good sides by giving out fancy drinks. Of course, they still haven't mastered the art of making things properly, so each drink has a little something... extra.
III. SNACKS  Lo! As you ask, the Augur shall provide. Thanks to the efforts of your organic predecessors in restoring the planet’s Eros energy, edible fishes and seaweeds have returned to the ponds and the shores of Erku. If you fancy yourself savvy to basic survival skills, why not fashion up a fishing rod and catch yourself dinner? Just be careful if you happen to hook one of the octopus creatures from the deeper waters - they can be quite forward with their tentacles! Or, if primitive angling isn’t in your repertoire, you can always trade some credits for a tasty catch from one of the food stalls along the coast. Most stalls are manned by 'bots, but there’s nothing stopping an enterprising arrival from setting up shop. No credits? No problem! The robots have also provided a bit of entertainment, and any volunteers to man the kissing booth, get dunked in the wet t-shirt dunk tank, or grill up some fish - among other opportunities - will find credits automatically loaded onto the payment app of their bracelet devices. The 'bots are recruiting especially hard for participants to work in the gloryhole tent! IV. SPARKLES  As dusk descends, the white sands of the beach suddenly come alive with glittering lights. It’s as if the darkened waters have carried a thousand shining stars from the depths of the sea to the shores of the cove. In actuality, each little twinkle is a bioluminescent plankton or jellyfish! Feel free to wade among them and admire their shine; even the sting of the jellies won’t hurt you... though they do pack a different punch. The tentacles of the jellyfish elicit a powerful aphrodisiac response, which gets the heart racing and the blood pumping for an intimate touch. The effects come on within a matter of minutes, and last for a few hours. Only time will relieve the symptoms, but a partner will help to make it more bearable. N A V I G A T I O N |
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He talks about the surrender to the UFN, the dissolution of Britannia as it was. The collective sigh the world could finally breathe once more. Every one of the Areas freed, every remaining prisoner returned safe. The turning pages as each day brought another step, a desperate grasp to reconcile, to still hold together through the yawning chasm left in the wake of it all.
It had held. Things settled. Jeremiah recounts as much as he knows on who he knows, what he's heard about. Healing could happen only with time, but it did, slowly. His begins with the farm, but then it always comes back to the wedding, because he's still been in an exile of sorts since getting off far too easy, he still thinks. Jeremiah isn't a part of the world the same way he was, he can't be, but for a day he got to be in that room full of faces and knew things would be all right.
Inevitably, the curious echo back of Anya? comes during his recount, so he talks about her, too. Even with his heart so newly-filled with hope, his fingers still laced with Lelouch's, she too is there in his mind just as she had been all day. But his words are fond, recounting mostly the good things. It's so easy to busy himself that, against great, great struggle, he somehow doesn't once mention the word geass.
Instead, he tells Lelouch about the fireworks the two of them lit at Ashford together.
And then the conversation turns away once more. They've wandered some distance by now, but it's more peaceful out this way, just the two of them. No prying eyes, they can speak freely. Jeremiah's sure he could be content to for the rest of the day, having gone so long without.]
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More than he'd come to expect out of his gamble and those last unkind months leading up to his end, when Lelouch decided to be the evil to usurp all greater evils. Recourse was inevitable. He welcomed the death that came upon him, and came away the most unscathed for it.
There's more to question— how Suzaku could be present when his memories aligned with Lelouch's, frozen on the day of Zero Requiem— and what became of his sister, are the people kind and gentle to her, do they associate her with his terrible reign, does she cry when she's alone—
But it's comforting to know that, no matter what strange world he's found himself in, that everyone's moved on. He could've been more domineering, announce that it's all gone according to his grand plan, though Lelouch has only grown more directionless and contemplative as they talk, leading Jeremiah where he will.
When they're at the crest of the hill leading up to the church, overabundant with sunflowers, he relinquishes Jeremiah's hand. He isn't looking at him but his voice is far-off, like it's part of another place, another time. ]
Did you enjoy the fireworks?
[ They were for his sake as well. ]
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He has to catalog the good things, try and balance things out in his mind. Jeremiah doesn't want to, doesn't want the day to march on, for a new day to come and find him still here. At least he has every reason he needs to tough it out. He'll cope.]
Not at first, I'll admit, but it gave me closure once it was done.
[He turns on his heel to look, but doesn't find Lelouch's gaze, feeling harsh and impersonal talking about his own grieving process for a man who stands once more before him. The distance already feels greater, not just for the mere extra foot or two between them, his empty hand. Jeremiah has to wonder how his time here has treated him, although part of him recoils too quickly to think that through.]
Besides, I didn't have to do it alone.
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[ The church comes into view, an anachronism to the rest of the crumbling city. And he'd rather the distance remain, a degree of separation between himself and Jeremiah. He'll still never be able to answer for hurting him so one-sidedly, time and time again, even long after they reconciled.
It won't diminish the grief any. The scar on his chest is still so tender. But the sun's risen and with it the last of his doubts have departed. If Suzaku likened himself to his sword, and C.C. to his shield, then perhaps Jeremiah was the conduit— that driving force until the end— willing to answer for the world he'd left behind. ]
Because I had you beside me, Jeremiah... I wouldn't allow my heart to waver. [ His breath is dancing waltzes in his throat as they approach the entrance, too keyed-up and sincere in front of the cold, hard truth that Jeremiah could have denied him whenever he so chose. Any time could've been his last. That Lelouch's fate has teetered on him, from the nascent beginnings of Zero to moments before the ceremonial sword devoured his heart— was always a given. And even before, as a young boy, who couldn't help but believe in the world. ] For as long as we're here, and past that... I'll do all I can for you.
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By nature of their positions, Lelouch owed him nothing but trust in turn. It's not his way, this Jeremiah had suspected and knows fully by now, not when he let someone close. But there was never an expectation in his mind either of anything other than their staunch partnership. He's still not sure what to expect now. That period of his own life ended in a way he's not sure he can reopen, not anymore. It's not the same now. He's no longer a remnant of the past, nor a weapon of revenge, nor a captain of his guard.
But it wouldn't be the first time they started anew.]
I'm honored that you think of me so. [Nope, don't choke now, come on Jeremiah. Give him a second to retain his composure.] Perhaps I may consider you a friend, in turn. I would like to support each other as such, doing any less wouldn't feel right.
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[ It's the nature of their exchange: honesty, slowly leaking in through the cracks, shedding light on what he'd left unanswered only after it's ceased to matter. He'll never again return to that seat atop the world, the throne gilded with deaths of those who championed him as their savior and reviled him for the atrocities he'd wrought. ]
... I can't let you inside, Jeremiah. The curse on this place ensures any intruder attempting entry will burn.
[ He doesn't seek to convince him of the truth behind Davina's spell with vehemence. It's a deterrent to any further conversation, even as Lelouch is inclined to demand what he will of Jeremiah only right before the door. Not an order but a question that hangs in the air, mirthfulness possessing the words— the half of the inquiry to come is a challenge as it is genuine curiosity. ]
What will you do?
[ There is no obligation to serve him, anymore. So he'll ask, not as the prince or the emperor or the impertinent young man who defied the world, but as Lelouch alone. What will you do with this life only you retain? ]
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I would. [He'd like to say his smile is completely even, but it's not, the conversation just a little too personal for perfect composure. Jeremiah's still not used to it.] I think we've known each other long enough.
[Is that a joke? Maybe he is ready to give it a try. At least it's not a sputter about how of course that won't negate the service he intends to pledge. Hell, like he'd ever need to say it. Even if Lelouch never asked it of him, chances would be slim Jeremiah wouldn't still be right there when he's needed, reaching out.
His smile shifts again, from wry to warm.]
If we should part now, then I'll simply have to return later. I know how to find you.
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I could never hide anything from you if I tried. I may as well preempt myself for once.
[ Reveal his intentions like the grand culmination to his plans was always to be exposed, rather than have them sussed out. Fingers taut around the door, a handful of seconds shy from pushing it open, he curls them about Jeremiah's, not to interlock but merely to hold. ]
Should I ever go astray, I'll look for you. I hope you don't mind if I rely on you one more time.
[ In this life or the next, as Lelouch eases the church doors open and bring this meeting to an end. ]
Don't wander too far.