☆Turn 3☆

[machiavellingly]

☆Who: Lelouch Vi Britannia
☆Where: Lelouch's Apartment
☆When: Daytime, Monday
☆Status: Closed. Peony is invited to tea.


[Of course Lelouch has been watching quietly since he arrived now. One of the first people to greet him had been, by far, one of the most interesting. He'd expected to encounter other people here who held status and title but... not so soon.

Even royalty needed their own vassals, protectors and knights. The hardest part for him had been figuring out exactly what Peony's title was. He could safely rule out he was not a duke, count, viscount or baron due to how he'd seen what was said in passing. Jade, was it? Jade was part of the military from Auldrant, he'd found that out from simply asking -- and the other... Guy. Hn. That was more difficult to say. He knew the least about him.

It was possible that all of them possessed powers that could prove useful to him. However, if he didn't have to waste his Geass he didn't want to; and, if they followed Peony it would be sufficiently easier to have him issue orders for them to follow.

If he wanted to get to the bottom of this God's rule and find a way home he was going to need allies. Allies could not simply be won over with words, however. It was more likely he could get Peony to simply admit who he was if he implied he knew... Well. He'd have to see. That was why he'd offered to meet him over tea, if he wanted to know what sort of person he was (and he felt he had a rough idea at this point). He would need to test him.

He's already gathered his Geass is significantly weaker than it was, he can only cast it twice per week, if that and at great physical strain to himself. Which is somewhat to his advantage, he has no means to make a contact to disrupt it but... having it be in such a state also means that he'll be unable to reach the God's consciousness who holds them all captive. Before he makes a move he needs to gather as much information as possible -- and thus far any citizens he'd attempted to glean it from had been vastly unhelpful. As though they were hiding something and someone had ingrained it in them (maybe even on a subconscious level not to speak of it) which left him with few options.

There are several problems right now with trying to plan... from what he's gathered both living and dead can be brought here irregardless. That would mean disrupting this peaceful utopia for lost lovers, friends and family. None of his own had shown their faces as of yet which he supposed he had been very fortunate about -- all the same. It isn't right that their fates be dictated by any God. Something is wrong with this place but he can't quite put his finger on it.

So he waits for his guest in his apartment, it's clean and well organized. There's a pot of tea and a few pastries sitting out on the table, as well as enough silverware and dishes for two.



Now, come to me, Peony. Let's find out the truth about your identity. You're sure to be a valuable asset to me... All I must do is learn who you are and what you're capable of.]

Comments

[chokmahemperor]

[Peony'd easily taken the invitation with a smile, not thinking too much of it. Lelouch was a nice kid, and establishing rapport with someone early on here in Vatheon is a good tactic. It's not that the bubble is particularly dangerous outside curses, as far as Peony's aware (and he probably should be more aware than this, but Jade's good about sharing information that would be necessary, right?), but a new place is stressful adjustment for most. He'd taken to it well enough, but he still had his moments... thinking about the people back home, about the state of things; he shirked his duties only when they weren't pressing or terribly important, but sometimes he feels like he's abandoned his empire. He knows he hasn't, that time isn't going anywhere without him somehow, but... Ah, just the worries of an emperor well into his thirties. He's getting up there in age, even if he doesn't act it, and surely that's where some of the worrying comes from. But that's merely his own stress; who's to say where Lelouch's concerns fall? It might be good to address that if the topic arises.

It occurs to him as he approaches to wonder about Lelouch. Not about his arrival or his world, but Lelouch himself (and, well admittedly however that's affected by his world). He's already drawn similarities between Lelouch and Jade, though certainly youth and a somewhat different disposition makes the newcomer more pleasant for most to interact with, he's sure. But there's that sort of cunning, he thinks, that he sees in Jade. Something about the way Lelouch carries himself, the way he speaks.

Then again, Peony willingly shares space with Jade and hasn't left him alone in nearly thirty years (more or less). He might be a little biased towards what is pleasant company and what isn't. Just maybe.

Completely unaware of what might occur once he's beyond the door, he lifts a hand to knock, all pleasant expression and cheerful mood.]

Lelouch~!

[...because he's really just a kid, deep down.]

[machiavellingly]

[Right on time.

So he's punctual. Maybe not overly so... but enough that he can gather he keeps his meetings with friends, at least. He opens the door and invites him inside -- admittedly, the apartment is a bit lonely most of the time and he's glad of the company.

Even if it's with ulterior motives.]

Peony, I'm glad you could make it. Please, make yourself comfortable.

[The way Peony moves and carries himself isn't necessarily like a man whose title matters overly much to him. Was that because he was in Vatheon? Or was that because where he was from he was not the kind of noble that flaunted his status? He isn't sure just yet. If nothing else... he had to confirm it shortly.]

I was surprised to find that Vatheon had things from my home, I wasn't sure what sorts of foods you liked from Auldrant and I didn't really want to take my chances trying to make something if I wasn't familiar with the ingredients. Forgive me for that.

[All this is said as he turns his back to him and proceeds to go into the kitchen to get the cream and a few other things typically found at high tea. Finger sandwiches, danishes, biscuits and the like. With a plate in either hand he gently slides them onto the table and then sets the cream down that he had tucked underneath his arm.]

Have you ever had high tea before?

[chokmahemperor]

[Punctual, perhaps, on occasion. Like today, because he has no reason not to be. First impressions and all, right? And there's no reason for him to duck out and procrastinate in this case~ Peony meets his host with a grin, something pleasant yet not necessarily polite; not concealing his confidence for the sake of formality. It'd be difficult to do, anyway, considering Peony isn't one to mask his nature. He's playful and cheery most of the time, but he can be just as serious and objective as is required of his station when the need arises.

He's free to be anything but serious for the moment, though! And the invitation earns a "Thanks", Peony following along to find himself a seat. As for his title? Pft, being emperor only basically means two things: taking care of people (which he likes doing) and being hounded by the council (which he likes dodging). Both are a drain on his independence at times, but he can take it. It's nothing to flaunt because it's a duty, not some kind of trophy. It's pretty annoying, in fact, when people treat nobility like that.

He hums at Lelouch, resting his chin on his fist as he settles into his seat.]

Yeah, they've got all kinds of stuff; and hey, you went through the effort of putting this together. Nothing to forgive.

[There's a bit of a laugh in his tone, easy-going as anything about him. As Lelouch returns, Peony shifts a little more upright just to be polite--not that it really moves him all that much, just into something a bit less... "sprawling" would be a good word for it. Lounging, maybe. But seated a little more casually, properly, and less lazily, he thinks on that question.]

I could see Kimlasca having tea like this. But nah, grew up with three meals and anything I could sneak in between 'em.

[Beaming as he says that. For him, tea's really just tea. Routine and ceremony and making everything to certain specifications that could be considered stuffy by some and all that kind of thing... No thanks! But this doesn't feel stuffy, probably because two people isn't a small group stuffed around a table.]

Why do you ask?