savetheearth | 004; action; closed

Entry tags:

004; action; closed

Who: Elizabeth Victoria Bishop and Brendan Lionel Blake
What: In which there is terrible awkwardness and potential miscommunication ~~but hopefully none leading to genocide~~.
Where: A boulangerie. Locke City has one because I say so.
When: Excuse you, peasants, it's m'aidez. Also, afternoonish.

[After their initial and in many ways disastrous first meeting, it had become fairly common for Brendan and Elizabeth to meet for lunch, sometimes on campus and sometimes off. Conversation topics during these meetings were usually superficial, but as the days wore on and Brendan's already considerable feelings of guilt grew (he shouldn't have to lie to her), it became nearly impossible for him to think of reasons why the charade should continue. It would have been easy, probably, to cut Elizabeth out of his life entirely and put away the feelings interacting with her inspired for good, but he balked at that just as surely as he balked at the thought of physically hurting her. He couldn't do it. He didn't know why he couldn't do it, he just... couldn't.

The tradition of meeting for food and the fact that he needed to say something to her before something exploded were more or less why the two of them eventually found themselves walking into a neat little French bakery at Brendan's recommendation, the chime of a small bell announcing their arrival. The interior wasn't exactly what most would call spacious; the majority of it seemed to be taken up by an enormous display counter filled with row upon row of cookies, cakes, pies, and other breads and pastries, each one exquisitely decorated and indistinguishable from its fellows. A chalkboard with the day's specials rested off to one side, near the cash register, and hung on the wall behind the counter was the regular menu, complete with descriptions of specialty drinks and dishes not otherwise featured in the store. The smell of bread, sugar, and baked goods was heavy in the air, and somewhat nervously, Brendan took a small sniff before looking to his companion.]

It's better to visit in the morning, of course, but both of us had classes. So... what do you think?

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Oh, goodness!

[ That's as close to an expletive as Elizabeth ever really gets. Her eyes are wide and positively alight with joy as she rushes forward to get abetter look at those glass displays, at all those perfectly decorated little cakes and various pastries, each with their own neat little placards describing each and every one. Some of them are familiar, but many are new and novel even to her.

She looks back over her shoulder at Brendan, her face positively flushed with her delight at the sheer charm of this place. And to think she could have lived out her entire career here as a student without ever even knowing it existed! ]

Oh, Brendan! This is positively magical! I don't think I've ever been anywhere like it!

Thank you so much!

[ Being someone who feels her emotions wholeheartedly and without any reservations or shame, she doesn't hesitate to step back over to his side. There she beams over at him for a brief second of hesitation, then goes right ahead and throws her arms around him for a quick squeeze, pecking him lightly on one cheek in appreciation.

He really is the sweetest boy. A bit odd, so impossibly thoughtful and intelligent and sweet. ]

[He'd been expecting Elizabeth to like it; he just hadn't been prepared for how much. Brendan is therefore caught entirely off guard by the sudden hug and kiss, and while he would like to think that he isn't so awkward as to stand there frozen for a few seconds while his brain catches up with current events, that's exactly what he does. Uh, here, Lizzie, have a slightly stilted not-quite-hug back and a few hesitant pats. At least this means he got it right?]

You're very welcome.

[Possibly Brendan's only saving grace is that the smile he's wearing is entirely free from crippling self-consciousness, and after a moment, the rest of his body gets the memo and gives her a small squeeze back. Right, yes, he completely knows what he's doing.]

Now, what would you like to try? I haven't the sweet tooth my sister does, but I've sampled enough of these that I can give you a few recommendations. The macaroons are always good, for instance.

Please do recommend away. Otherwise we might be standing here all evening.

[ Because genuinely, every last thing looks good to Elizabeth right now. She laughs a little at his endearingly earnest attempts to reciprocate her affections, and after another moment she finally releases him again. She wanders back to the display cases at that, peering enthusiastically at everything. ]

I do like macaroons! And perhaps something savory...? What do you like, Brendan?

[He draws nearer to the case once freed, still smiling but much more sedately. This isn't just about showing her the bakery, he has to remember, but about... that. Telling her the rest of it.

... It can wait until after they order.

His expression turns thoughtful as he considers the question, gaze drifting over the pastries on display. Something savory?]

They have several types of quiche available, all of which are good. I tend to prefer anything coffee-flavored— not quiche, obviously, but perhaps their macaroons...

[He trails off and bends a little, examining the food more closely. Which one, which one...]

... Well, it's hard to choose.

Hmmm... Perhaps a little of everything, then!

[ After a few more moments of excited examining, they finally settle on an assortment of quiches, macaroons, and a few stray petit fours to round them out. They get some coffee to go with it all, then move out onto the patio with their spoils to sit and eat. It looks like the afternoon rush has long since come and gone, leaving the seating area vacant save for them.

It's nice. Peaceful. Elizabeth cheerfully pulls out Brendan's seat for him since he has his hands full, then has a seat herself next to him. She likes to sit across from him so that she can see his face, but right now that would make it hard for them to share all this delicious looking food. ]

Thank you so much again for inviting me out, Brendan. It's so nice to get to relax for a change...

[ It's only after she's said it that she realizes it might be a little telling, but-- ...but perhaps it's good to put out a few feelers this way. After that night with the werewolves, she distinctly recalls stumbling upon a memory of being out in a forest, near a beach. With Brendan. He looked a little different, but she's still almost sure of it.

So for all she knows, he could very well be one of them. If he is, though-- He ought to recognize her from the network, so why hasn't he spoken up just yet...? He's been so kind to her that she can't imagine any reservations he might have.

But ah, speculating will get her nowhere. She'll just have to tread carefully here and see where this road takes her. ]

[... And he's the one carrying it all. Well, all right, so he'd volunteered (as if he'd actually let her carry anything), but he hadn't really expected their spoils to be quite so heavy. Perhaps he shouldn't have praised just about everything in the bakery, then? But it would have been stupid to mislead her about something so mundane, especially when, again, he's hoping that she likes the place. Just- damn it.

At any rate, Brendan focuses the entirety of his considerable mental prowess (it isn't ego if it's true) on keeping the load balanced and not falling to the ground as they make their through the bakery and outside, succeeding through what can only be called miraculous means, and once they've located an appropriate table, he sets about arranging their food neatly, almost as if he's recreating the display inside. Macaroons here, petits fours there, quiches— and he can't forget the coffee, must never forget the coffee. Even without his caffeine addiction to consider, there's a chance it might get chilly out here and he doesn't want Elizabeth to suffer.]

Again, you're welcome. [He finally sits then, sending her another small smile.] It's always good to take a break every once in a while.

[From classes or from supernatural escapades, he doesn't bother specifying which. Either way, Brendan is back to not quite looking at her after that, instead fiddling with his coffee and letting his eyes rove the area. Where to begin, exactly? Ah—]

It's... well, there's also...

[He trails off, stops, and clears his throat. He probably should have thought through that opening a little more. Hell, anything more than not at all would have been preferable.]

Nevermind. Which did you want to try first?

All of it, to be perfectly honest! But I suppose we should start with the quiche and move on to the sweets.

[ Saying that, Elizabeth nudges a quiche in Brendan's direction before plucking one up herself. And also don't think she hasn't noticed you're a bit of a dodgy person, Brendan. She waits until after she's had a bite, eyes going quite wide at the succulent, rich flavors that burst out as she chews. She washes it down with a sip of coffee, giving Brendan a look that most people reserve for Christmas morning. ]

This is even better than it looks somehow! But oh-- What were you saying just now, Brendan...? That there was also...?

[A reasonable enough suggestion, and Brendan turns his attention to nudged quiche, picking it up and examining it for just a moment before taking a bite of his own. He's soon grateful that he did for reasons other than the flavor; that question is one he wants any excuse at all to avoid.

He makes a big show of chewing his mouthful, swallowing, and drinking a bit of coffee before answering, hoping to delay as much as possible. Can he put it off longer? Elizabeth can be quite stubborn in her own way, he knows that much, and if the food isn't enough to distract her right now, perhaps... but do they really have to talk about this now? Maybe if he tries being honest—]

I was hoping to wait before we discussed that.

[Yes, there we go. Quiet and understated. She'll let it rest for a moment, won't she?]

[ Well he's certainly a clever one, Elizabeth will give Brendan that much. She nods in acceptance and lets the subject go for now, since it certainly is a wonderful time they're having. There's absolutely nothing wrong with simply taking some time to enjoy themselves, and Brendan did go through all the trouble of showing them to this place. Elizabeth is fine with letting things happen on Brendan's terms, so long as he doesn't plan to hold out on her forever. ]

Of course! Pardon my manners. Just look at me, trying to have a serious discussion over a perfectly pleasant meal... My father would scold me for sure.

[ She laughs quietly and shakes her head, having another bite of her quiche. ]

Is there anything else you'd like to talk about in the meantime, then...? Questions for me, perhaps?

[Holding out on her forever is very, very tempting, don't get him wrong, but given that he's essentially just sabotaged himself, Brendan is just going to have to deal— unless he can find some other excuse to put it off? No, she's in such a good mood now that he's not certain he'll get another chance like this. After all, the moment he tells her...

His gaze trails off to one side, and contemplatively, he takes another sip of his coffee. He can salvage this somehow, surely. It doesn't have to be a disaster.]

Most of my conversation topics seem to revolve around school, and with finals around the corner... [He trails off, smiles crookedly, and shrugs.] Maybe if we fast forward? What are your plans for when the semester ends? Going to any wild parties in celebration?

[Yes, because Elizabeth is exactly the type. Still, it ought to get her talking.]

[ Well, Elizabeth imagines she'll still be helping deal with all this fallout involving the network and the mysterious numbers and her hair going pink, but all of that is a little bit hard to work into casual conversation. She laughs a little at the mention of wild parties though, figuring he means it mostly as an ice breaker and a joke but still unable to help but lightly tease. ]

Wild parties, hm...? Are you hoping I'll have good recommendations, Brendan? I could go ask around the fraternities, I do have a few friends...

[The sudden turnaround makes him blink, then laugh, one of the few he's indulged in while in Elizabeth's presence. Usually it seems far too disrespectful, but right now—]

I'm doomed if we ever are on opposing sides in court. I keep forgetting how quick you can be.

[He shakes his head a little, then takes another bite of his quiche.]

No, but I appreciate the thought. I don't think I'd fit in in a fraternity, do you? I've always been something of a black sheep.

[Unlike her. God, but people would flock to have Elizabeth in their club, sorority, whatever. He's almost envious of that.]

On the contrary, I think you could fit in anywhere you'd like.

[ Elizabeth says this earnestly, smiling brightly in Brendan's direction. She gives a little shrug at that, having a sip of her coffee as she give Brendan an appraising look. ]

The real question would be whether you wanted to infiltrate a fraternity, wouldn't it...? And I do agree, that's not your scene in the least. Nor mine, really. I like a bit of fun now and then, but...

I don't know, the world is just so beautiful and there's so much of it.

[ Seeming to fall into a slightly more serious mood, Elizabeth turns her gaze up towards the sky and the vast and limitless space beyond. ]

It doesn't seem as though I'll ever have enough time to get my fill of it.

Perhaps after I finish the semester, I'll go on an adventure...!

[Infiltrate. Interesting choice of words, and Brendan can't help but grin at it, sharing her amusement. Neither his scene nor hers, and isn't that a relief. Granted, he could never imagine her joining a sorority on her own, but perhaps with peer pressure... no, it doesn't bear thinking about.

The smile flickers as she continues speaking, though, and as her eyes turn skyward, his drift to the ground, the few napkins and wrappers littering the otherwise pristine dining area. A beautiful world. An adventure. Is it truly that easy for her to imagine such things, or is she just saying them for his benefit? After all, if she actually knew what he was hiding from her—]

Elizabeth, I... there's something I need to tell you.

[No more delays. He can't stand the thought of lying to her again.]

[ The wide-eyed wonder of Elizabeth's worldview is a hundred percent genuine, as for all the darkness and all the pain she's seen and known so far in her short life, she finds that she has seen so much more beauty and light. Like this moment right here, right now, with Brendan and the rich, aromatic smells coming from the bakery. The warmth of the sun and the sweetness of the breeze. It's the quiet moments like this that Elizabeth finds the most unspeakably, heartrendingly perfect.

Then Brendan speaks again, and something about his tone shakes her out of her reverie. She blinks owlishly once, then turns her attention back to him, watching him expectantly. ]

Yes? Is everything quite alright, Brendan...?

[He would have guessed as much. People like Elizabeth are... well, they're meant to be protected. Surely even that unwavering faith in humanity can be shattered with enough bad experiences. Brendan, at least, is fairly certain that there's at least one she can't recover from, but damned if he has any clue what it is (was).

He sets down his quiche, allows both of his hands to settle down around his coffee, and swallows.]

I... no. It isn't.

[His hands tighten minutely.]

I've misled you from the start. It wasn't my intention, but I didn't know how else to tell you.

[ Elizabeth feels her heart skip a beat, her hands clasping tightly in her lap as a sort of adrenaline spikes through her. She wonders if he's going to mention it now, the things about the network and having seen her there. She's certain, absolutely certain that she can remember being on a beach with him, a beach and a forest and an open sky with a breathtaking view of the stars.

She lets out her breath, trying to be patient, trying to let Brendan confess to her on his own terms. ]

It's... It's fine, Brendan. You're a good person. Things don't always go the way we plan, and there's nothing wrong with that.

You don't have to hide anything from me.

[— A good person. If only, right? After all, since he still doesn't know the source of that guilt, how can he...?

He closes his eyes, shakes his head briefly, then forces himself to speak. It's time to get this over with, and he really does wish he had waited until they had finished their food at least, but there's no denying this.]

I recognized you from the network. You know the one I'm speaking of, don't you? More importantly, seeing you in person made me remember something... something that happened.

[He shakes his head slowly and doesn't look up at her, not daring. It doesn't sound nearly as much of a crime now that he's saying it out loud, but that's only because he isn't telling all of it. Isn't it?]

I don't know what it was, but I do know that none of it is good.

[And I'm the one at fault.]

[ This particular confession leaves Elizabeth not quite knowing how to feel. She's glad, of course, that Brendan has finally broached this subject with her because she feels like they could all use more friends as far as the network is concerned, and in her experience keeping secrets from the people you care about has a way of eating you up from the inside out. So she's glad for him, and yet...

She understand that he's experienced a memory of her, just as she's sure she's had a memory of him, but for him the memory was... bad...? She can't imagine what that could mean.

But he looks almost as though he's in pain from the thought of it alone, and so she doesn't hesitate to reach out and take one of his hands tightly in both of her own. ]

...Brendan, stop that. If you don't know what it was, then you can't know what it was. Context is everything. You mustn't assume the worst like that.

So-- So just start from the beginning. What's all this you've remembered...?

[He's absorbed enough in his own dark thoughts that he doesn't notice the hand at first, then wants to pull it away, but when she speaks, he quickly freezes, venturing a glance at their joined fingers if nothing else. Don't assume the worst, she says, but how can she when she hadn't experienced the sheer weight of that emotion herself? It can't be any ordinary crime, not with how easily it would have floored him if he hadn't already been thrown down (something to be grateful for, in retrospect), so...

Brendan doesn't want to worry or frustrate her by denying what is for all intents and purposes a perfectly logical and reassuring statement, though, so he nods faintly, giving her hand a small squeeze back. Is he allowed even this much? Or...]

... What I've remembered?

[He echoes the question as if he doesn't fully understand it, eyes finally wandering up to meet hers. How to answer it, really? There are names, of course, and emotions, but the more concrete things he's seen, the men he's seen fall at the sweep of his hand, the oaths of loyalty— how does he explain those? But maybe... no, just a name will do. Won't it?]

Lelouch. And... [His brow furrows, ostensibly in memory but actually in concentration while he tries to think of a way to frame this.] Men who sought to kill me. Soldiers who pledged their loyalty. I also— well...

[A faint smile tugs at his lips, and he frees the hand that isn't currently grasping hers and gestures with it at his eyes.]

Do you want to see something interesting?

[ Lelouch-- She knows that name! She called him by it in her memory. But before she can say anything about it, he goes on to talk about-- Her eyes widen. Men trying to kill him and soldiers? But the Brendan in her memories looked the same age he does now, and-- She sees a flicker of that flag in her mind's eye, the one bearing the crest of a snake and a lion. It's too much to put together, and her chest is beginning to feel a little tight with anxiety.

She just doesn't understand.

When he speaks again, she forces a smile and tries to lighten the mood somehow, catching that smile on his face and desperately not wanting to lose it. ]

Well, I don't mind of course but you know, Brendan... Usually when someone asks me that, the next thing I know they've taken off their pants. Should we go back to my place first...?

[— Okay, well, she is going to lose the smile, just probably not in the way she expects. To put it another way, Brendan sputters and leans back, eyes wide and face turning a stunning, vivid red. Taken off their pants?! Go back to her place?! He hadn't— at least, he hadn't meant for something so—]

I— no, that's not what I—

[He breaks off and looks away, clearly resisting the urge to fidget. She hadn't meant— no, she has to have been teasing, but even so, how the hell is he supposed to recover from that? She really is going to be his worst opponent ever, but then he supposes such things aren't appropriate in a court of law. Perhaps he'll escape unscathed after all.

Either way, he's forcibly stopping himself from rambling further, eyes closing as he takes a deep breath. Perfectly innocent. Right. Just— nngh.]

Above the belt, not below. [His eyes snap open.] Do people ask you that a lot?

Oh, let's not get too far off subject~ [ Because Elizabeth isn't sure when she'll be able to get Brendan back on track. And yet, even so, she still can't seem to resist one last little jab. ]

...but to answer your question, no. Not really. Only once or twice.

[ This face, Brendan? It's the picture of innocence. ]

[... He really, really could have done without an answer. Really. Brendan doesn't go so far as to say this out loud, though, instead hauling around his messenger bag (it's convenient and is just large enough to hold his laptop, shut up) and pulling out a small contact case. He turns away from her after that, but while the move is probably abrupt, it does at least end quickly. He's had plenty of practice.

When he turns back, eyes that were once deep blue have transformed into royal purple, and Elizabeth is sitting just close enough to see that this is their new true color. Look familiar?]

I hope this is an acceptable compromise.

Oh my! [ Elizabeth looks startled yet again, this time covering her mouth with one hand as she leans a little closer for a better look. ]

And you took your contacts out just now...?

[ She wants to mention her own memories at this juncture, but the things Brendan mention in passing just now are still bothering her so she points out those first. ]

You also said something about people trying to kill you and soldiers? Is that all you can remember? That all seems so terribly dire...

Yes, I took them out.

[He's unlikely to be the sort to actually buy colored contacts, after all, at least for eye colors other than what he'd had originally. Hell, it had been a pain and a half finding something that would look natural anyway, but Elizabeth doesn't need to hear anything about that. He'll listen patiently instead and answer when appropriate.

... Or lie.]

There were soldiers trying to kill me and different soldiers who swore themselves to me. I don't remember how I escaped the former, though. Like you said, there wasn't much context.

[Apart from that order, the smiles on their faces as they had leaped to obey. Just what kind of monster had he been?]

What about you? Is there anything that you remember?

Edited 2013-05-08 06:41 (UTC)

Nothing so interesting or telling, I'm afraid... But you were in my memory, so I was wondering if you had a very well hidden twin or if you were ever going to speak with me about all this.

[ She's joking again, trying to offset that sober mood that's settled over them to... not much success, she realizes. She bites down on her lip at that briefly, then goes on to tell Brendan the exact contents of her jumbled, disjointed memories. ]

We were on a beach, you and I. It was night and it was so beautiful. I can't really remember what we talked about, but we were talking... Something about how nice it was, about the past--

We seemed to know each other very well, and... I called you Lelouch. You called me, oh... What was it... It sounded like 'yuufy,' or something like that. It's all very faint. Mostly I just remember the sound of the ocean and the brilliance of the stars, and... Feeling happy. Happy and safe, because I was with you.

[ This would be largely because she was being actively mauled by a werewolf at the time of getting this memory, so most of it didn't stick well. But that's an irrelevant detail right now, so she doesn't bother mentioning it. ]

[So it would have come out eventually. Is it a good thing, then, that Brendan himself had been the one to broach the matter? Probably. He ignores those thoughts in favor of listening to her description, though, eyes closing as he tries to picture it. On a beach, stars overhead, talking about the past— what about the past would they have been talking about? This shared history, whatever it was? General reminiscing?

Much as he wishes otherwise, though, visualizing the scene does nothing, and his eyes open once more. That name—]

"Yoofy?" And I thought "Lelouch" sounded strange. [His tone is light, though, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.] Do you think the memory might be clearer if we actually went to a beach at night? You might be able to recall more of the conversation.

[That and it sounds like a pleasant enough outing. He can't object to the thought of spending more time with her.]

You know, it just might!

[ At that moment, Elizabeth's thoughts are closely mirroring Brendan's. That there's no harm in trying, and even if nothing comes of going to the beach together, the outing in of itself sounds pleasant enough to be worth the trip. So she nods excitedly, laughing a little at both the thought of it and his assessment for her name or nickname or whatever it was she heard. ]

What would be a good time for you?

[His smile widens at her laugh, and he shrugs, glancing back to their food. He should probably feel bad for having largely ignored it for the past several minutes, but finally getting that off his chest and Elizabeth's current excitement is more than worth it.]

My schedule's fairly open, actually, unless you count whatever insanity might crop up unexpectedly. Do you have a preference?

[ Mulling over the question a moment or three, Elizabeth comes up with some approximation of a plan. ]

Hmmmm... How does Monday night sound? That way we'll miss the weekend rush, maybe get a little bit of proper privacy.

[ There's a brief pause, and then Elizabeth finds that she really can't help herself. Brendan is simply too adorable to not tease. So she giggles quietly, giving him a wink. ]

[And it's a good plan, one that has Brendan nodding along in agreement... until he sees that wink. Congratulations, Elizabeth, he is now turning red again and desperately avoiding eye contact.]

Ah, yes, that would... serve.

[He occupies himself with his quiche then, hoping against hope that she'll somehow miraculously not pick up on his embarrassment. Besides, they really ought to get back to their food.]

Should we... that is, should I meet you there or would you prefer... other transportation arrangements?

[Do you want me to pick you up?]

[ Grinning practically ear to ear, Elizabeth can't help but laugh as she, too, has a few absent bites of her food as she pretends to think about his question. Then finally she gives him a very deliberate, pointed look, lifting a brow in teasing invitation. ]

How about I pick you up at eight?

[... Wait, why is he the one being picked up?! Brendan's mouth twists and twitches into a frown, but the teasing note is impossible to deny, and soon, he's smiling again, shoulders beginning to shake with his laughter. Elizabeth, you truly are...]

That sounds wonderful, Elizabeth. I look forward to it.

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004; action; closed

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