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Who: Lelouch Lamperouge (

vanished_prince ), Suzaku Kururugi (

white_knight11)
What: Lelouch has been turned female by the castle and is attempting to hide himself for the duration. Suzaku is helping him by bringing him food, but he is curious about Lelouch's loss.
When: Evening of June 4th
Where: Room 617
Rating: PG

Lelouch could have handled Suzaku seeing him if it were only a matter of cross-dressing. The other had already seen him dressed as a woman before, after all. That had been uncomfortable enough with the others on the student council teasing him about what a fine female he made, but it had been just another silly costume.

This was something else entirely.

Being female was not something Lelouch had ever expected to experience, and it certainly wasn't something that he had wanted to experience. Yet, here he was in a body that did not feel quite right, with softer feminine curves and breasts even, not to mention the rest of it. It was beyond awkward. Lelouch hadn't had time to adapt to it yet at all, and he wasn't entirely certain how he would manage that. Eighteen years of being male did not fade over a few days.

The last thing he wanted in his present state of mind was to be teased, be it good-natured teasing or otherwise. For a person who liked to be in control, this was truly a troubling event. Even Lelouch's emotions felt out of sorts and closer to the surface than normal somehow. Hence, when the knock came at the door, he approached it warily. "Who is it?" If it were anyone other than Suzaku, he wasn't going to bother opening it so much as a crack.

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Meanwhile Suzaku had been going through all the losses that he knew about while grabbing something for Lelouch to eat. There were a lot to choose from and the castle has a tendency of coming up with new ones whenever it felt creative. How else would you explain the week where the cute animal town replaced the castle when it had been doing almost nothing but jungles and dungeons anyway?

... Well, there was the ninja village, but still.

"can't tell people apart? But if he doesn't want to see anyone..." Suzaku murmured as he put the food stuff into a bag. He tried to find things Lelouch liked, but finding something 'trembly' that was sustaining wasn't exactly easy. After thanking a nearby ghost for help with carrying some food, he set off towards the elevators to the sixth floor.

The thought of asking Lelouch to move to another floor crossed his mind before he resumed trying to figure out what Lelouch's loss was.

Oh wait-

Chuckling softly as he exited the elevator, the knight made his way down the hall to Lelouch's room and knocked. Hearing the shuffle of movement and voice, Suzaku took a moment to collect himself before replying.

"It's just me, Lelouch."

The voice on the other side of the door was unmistakably Suzaku's, which was certainly a relief to Lelouch. Hopefully, his own voice had been pitched low enough not to give anything away just yet. Now, the only difficulty would be getting the food into the room without allowing Suzaku to see him. It was probably a futile effort in the long run, but Lelouch at least wanted a day to adjust to this before he had to endure Suzaku's amusement.

Lelouch unlocked the door and hurried over to his closet, slipping inside and closing the door behind him. "Come in," he called, his voice muffled but higher in timbre than it usually would be as he raised it.

Hearing the click of a lock, Suzaku carefully opened the door and entered the room to see...

No Lelouch. But the call from the closet did not go unheard.

Blinking a few times, Suzaku placed the dinner on the nearby table before walking towards the aformented closet. Really, was he going to lock himself up in his closet everytime Suzaku entered his room until this loss was over? That was just much too inconvenient. Besides, the Japanese wasn't as dull as he acted sometimes.

"Come on, it can't be that bad," he said through the door. "It's bound to happen to everyone at least once," a well muffled laugh, "Luluko."

Lelouch heard the door open and shut, and for a few moments, there was silence. He knew that it was too much to imagine that Suzaku would enter, leave the food, and depart without saying a word. Lelouch would not have done so had their situations been reversed, after all.

When he heard the other stating that it wasn't that bad from the other side of the closet door, Lelouch sighed. He was about to tell Suzaku that it was, in fact, that bad, when the other uttered that name. Lelouch had a sinking feeling that Suzaku would not be easily dissuaded from the correct idea without seeing evidence to the contrary in the form of Lelouch himself. It was worth a try, however.

"What makes you think it's that?" Lelouch replied, forcing his voice as low as possible. "You've already seen Luluko once before."

Suzaku couldn't stop the smile on his face. Really! This was probably the only thing (other than that) which Lelouch would be so adamant about ignoring. It was also the only option Suzaku had left when it came down to losses caused by the castle. The Britannian prince (or should he say "princess"?) shouldn't feel so defensive about it, it was bound to happen to everyone at some point.

Oh! He had to tell Euphie about this!!

"Because there's no other option left, Lelouch! Don't be so stubborn, it's not as if I'm going to make fun of you."

Since everyone else in the student counsil did that for him. Still, he wasn't going to force Lelouch out the closet if he didn't want to exit, so the other remained standing a little away from the closet door.

"There are always other options, Suzaku," Lelouch replied wryly, wishing that Suzaku could have at least been this single-minded about one of the other possibilities.

He leaned forward to rest his head against the door and closed his eyes for a moment. It was very likely that someone was going to see him over the course of the week. And it was far better that the someone in question was Suzaku. Other possibilities were far worse. Having Euphie or even Kallen see him like this would be even more embarrassing, and having some stranger see him would be unbelievably uncomfortable. Lelouch realized that it was probably best just to let that someone be Suzaku so that the other would help him.

"If you promise not to make fun of me and not to breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll come out. I'll do the same for you if ever the situation is reversed," Lelouch added.

He nodded sagely before answering with an "of course, Lelouch." Suzaku couldn't quite understand why people always made such a big deal about being genderswapped. Sure, it must have felt weird, but at least there wasn't any important ability that is lost.

Such as opposable thumbs. Suzaku never thought that opening doors on your own could be considered a blessing until after he was turned into a cat.

But Suzaku couldn't help but sigh at the added remark by Lelouch. Really, people were going to figure it out on their own eventually, despite the usual talk about how daft a large portion of the castle populaion was. The Japanese could attest to that. And he probably wouldn't mind the gender swap. It could just be another experience added on to his already odd 'vacation'. Anything was better than the painful psychological or emotional losses that he had to go through. Still...

"Hai, hai, no laughing or telling from me. Now will you come out?"

There was a momentary pause while Lelouch took a breath and gathered himself. He felt nonplussed in his present condition, and it was not a state in which he wanted others to see him. Even Suzaku. It was too awkward, but it couldn't be helped.

"Very well," Lelouch said, finally reaching for the door knob of the closet and drawing it open.

He stepped out into the room then and closed the closet door behind him before turning to face Suzaku again. "So, obviously you were right in the end," Lelouch said, looking down again at the dress he was now wearing on his obviously female body. He raised his eyes to meet Suzaku's then, trying to keep a stoic expression on his features. "I must look pretty ridiculous like this."

It didn't take as much self-control to stop himself laughing than he thought it would be. Maybe because he had seen Lelouch dressed like this already (he would have to thank Millay for the 'training' later) and had taken that moment to laugh at the temporary female.

"No, no, Lelouch. You look very pretty. Much like last time Kaichou put you in a dress."

Suzaku smiled and clapped his hands together in approval. Really, Lelouch shouldn't make such a big deal out of this...

"Think of it this way, at least the castle didn't make you an ugly woman."

"..."

Lelouch stared at Suzaku silently after the other's words. If Suzaku was attempting to make him feel better about this, his words were having precisely the opposite effect. He was actually female this time around. Did it not occur to Suzaku that saying such a thing basically implied that he was "pretty" and feminine even when he was male?

Lelouch scowled in response to the smiling and clapping. Even worse than Suzkau's comments, however, was the fact that he could feel his cheeks growing warm in response to them. Was he actually blushing? No matter how embarrassed he felt, this was ridiculous. Lelouch put a hand to his cheek self-consciously and forced himself to exhale.

"It's different this time, considering that I'm not actually male," Lelouch said, folding his arms across his chest and looking down with another scowl as they now rested against a bosom which he certainly should have. "And I cannot discard this body as easily as I could remove a dress and a wig. It feels very strange..."

The implications of his statements had flown over Suzaku's head. Right now, he was trying to think of a way to convince Lelouch that letting other people see him would not be a bad thing, and if it made him feel any better, he could always refer to himself as 'Lulu' for the time being. It was a shame that the Japanese had no idea what was going through his best friend's head at this point...

"Well, at least you can still talk and write and open doors and such. Imagine not being able to do that on your own for a week! Nyaa~"

Suzaku smiled cheerfully before he turned and walked back to the tray of food he had left on the table.

"I brought you something to eat by the way."

If Suzaku had been affected by the knowledge that his best friend was now female, he was doing a very good job of pretending to not notice.

Lelouch managed a small smile at Suzaku's words. He supposed he should be thankful for small favors. Besides, it was better to focus on something else other than the awkwardness of his present situation. "True. And at least I don't have the urge to lick myself clean right now, I suppose. Though you'd probably treat me more nicely if I were a feline, considering your fondness for them," Lelouch teased. "I know I could bite your finger at will without fear of repercussions."

Lelouch's gaze followed Suzaku as the other walked over to the table. "Thanks," he murmured, gratitude audible in his voice. He was grateful that Suzaku would help him avoid having to leave his room for the duration of this... problem.

Lelouch walked over to stand beside Suzaku, gazing down at the tray. "So, what did you bring me?"

Suzaku winced at the memory.

"Lelouch~ You wouldn't want to bite me! I need my fingers! despite what Arthur likes to think"

He simply smiled in response to the murmured words of gratitude, knowing that the situation must have been uncomfortable for someone like Lelouch. Not that Suzaku would let up on the idea that it wasn't all bad but if the former prince had a problem with something, it'd take hell freezing over to change his mind about it.

"Just some soup, bread, fruit. I know you like trembly food, but I couldn't think of anything other than jello and that's not really food," the turned and poked Lelouch's shoulder playfully, "give me a food order next time so I know what to get you, okay?"

Lelouch chuckled softly at Suzaku's reaction. "I don't know... If you give me a hard time, I might be tempted. Though I doubt I could match Arthur's fondness for it. Are you sure that you don't taste like tuna or something?" It was amazing how Arthur had been fond of biting Suzaku's fingers, while he had no such tendencies with the other student council members. Whether it was affection or merely feline playfulness, it was difficult to say.

At Suzaku's words, Lelouch smiled faintly and nodded his head. "You're right, I do... but it isn't as if that is the only food in the world that I like. Soup, bread, and fruit will be for good right now."

Lelouch started as Suzaku poked him, and a girlish giggle escaped him. He covered his hand with his mouth a second later and gazed at Suzaku wide-eyed. It was somehow disturbing to hear such a sound come from himself. "I can give you a food order... but I'm sure whatever you bring will be fine..."

He nodded sagely at Lelouch's taste comment.

"Last time there a talking cat bit me, he did mention that I tasted good or something."

The serious comment was ruined by the laugh afterwards. "But it's still nice to have something you like to eat with your meals! Like a treat, only without an adult telling you off about it."

Suzaku had to blink a couple of times before looking away while biting on his fist to prevent his laughter at the giggle that escaped his friend. Lelouch? Giggle? Only in Paradisa. After a moment to recompose himself (except for the smile) Suzaku turned and nodded.

"And don't forget to go and get some fresh air when this loss is over. Especially if you're planning on locking yourself in your room for the whole time."

Lelouch raised his eyebrows slightly at the mention of a talking cat but made no comment on it. As strange as it was, in this place, a talking cat seemed entirely possible. "Really... I wonder what it is that makes you so tasty," Lelouch replied, regarding Suzaku with an amused expression as the other laughed.

He smirked at Suzaku's next words. "It is nice... but it's been a very long time since I had to worry about some adult commenting on what I eat. The only person I know who seems to view it as his responsibility to nag me occasionally is you, Suzaku." Lelouch made the comment with affection. It was in Suzaku's nature to want to look after others, and usually, Lelouch didn't really mind.

Lelouch waved a hand after Suzaku's final comment, as if to point out that it was exactly what Suzaku was doing now. "Don't worry about me. I'll be sure to get some air afterwards. Because staying in my room is exactly what I am planning to do for the duration. Am I to take it that you disapprove?"

Suzaku laughed again at the 'tasty' comment. He wish he could have figured it out when he was turned into a cat but alas, he couldn't exactly bite himself to figure that out now could he?

The next comment resulted in a sour face from the Japanese. "But if no one else will tell you off for being a delinquent, then where would we all be, Ms. Vice President?"

Opening his eyes, Suzaku gave Lelouch a sincere expression.

"Of course! This place is beautiful - when it's not indulging it's morbid sense of humour - and you could do with the fresh air no matter what you say."

Lelouch rolled his eyes at the look Suzaku gave him as he called him a 'delinquent', and he stiffened slightly at being called 'Ms. Vice President'. "I don't see why that's necessary. I always score very well, regardless of my attendance. Isn't it the results that matter?"

Lelouch sighed at the look Suzaku gave him and ran a hand through his hair absently, letting his fingers trail down the length of it. "I'm quite certain that I can survive for a week or so without fresh air," Lelouch said dryly. "Lack of time outdoors isn't so bad in the short-term, particularly considering that this place has indulged its... sense of humor... where I am concerned just now."

Lelouch could be just as stubborn as Suzaku, but the sincere concern in the other's eyes did affect him. "Look... if you're so worried, I can always open a window, hm? And I promise that you can observe me in an outdoor environment as soon as this is over, all right?"

"The results are only part of it, Lelouch!" he replied, shaking his head a bit.

At the comment about the fresh air, Suzaku could only raise an eyebrow. If Lelouch thought that the Japanese was going to leave him to hibernate in his room, then there was a serious misunderstanding happening.

Besides, it's not as if Lelouch needed to worry about what to wear or if the clothes will get dirty.

"Lelouch, I'm not asking you to do sports outside. Just walk around. No one's going to laugh at you for it."

So what if the room was incredibly large? It still didn't give the other any reason to not go out and enjoy the fresh air.

"What else is there? Either you learn or you do not, in the end..." Lelouch replied, shrugging his shoulders indifferently. The whole point of school was to learn. As long as that was accomplished, what difference did it make if it took Lelouch far less time and effort than most?

Lelouch gave a long-suffering sigh at Suzaku's next words, and he gave the other a very skeptical look. "It isn't as if I'm going to die if I go a week without fresh air. It's not something that would kill me, you know.

"And I don't know why you assume that no one is going to laugh at me. You nearly did, and you're my best friend. No one else has anything riding on being tactful. Besides, Kallen is here... I think it's safe to say that she'll find this funny," Lelouch said.

"If you really want to have this argument, can you at least give me a few days to get acclimated to this? I am in no way prepared to go outside just now... Besides, I do want to eat before the soup gets cold."

"So blunt," but it was true and nothing Suzaku said would change the fact that Lelouch was simply a genius. At least it gave him some help with his own homework, considering the fact that he had a harder time balancing schoolwork and the army than Lelouch did with...

Not thinking about it.

Suzaku looked surprised at the statement, "You never know! We might have a world change that'll make it rain for a week or something!

"And because if you don't put it in the journal, then no one will laugh at you. Trust me, Lelouch, it won't be that hard."

Sighing, he pushed the soup towards Lelouch before walking over to sit on the bed. After a moment of thought, he added, "and of course I'm going to give you time to adjust. I didn't say I would drag you out right away! Just that you should get out at least once..."

"What else did you expect?" Lelouch murmured, smiling slightly in response to Suzaku's comment. For the most part, his inclination to hide his true personality did not extend to Suzaku. Suzaku had known him when he had been far more open. They both had been. In spite of everything, Suzaku truly did know him better than just about anyone else. There was no need to be anyone other than Lelouch in Suzaku's company. Even if he was more like Luluko at the moment...

"Well, if the castle floods and we're stuck boarding an ark, I'm sure I'll see fit to leave my room. Or in the event of any other natural disaster that makes my room unsafe," Lelouch added, his tone making it clear that he doubted such a thing would come to pass. He certainly hoped that it wouldn't.

"What difference does it make if I put it in the journal or not, Suzaku? People will still see me... and I'd prefer that they did not," Lelouch said firmly.

He took the soup bowl into his hands then and sat down, beginning to eat some small spoonfuls. It felt nicely warm and savory in his mouth. "Are you sure you're not just trying to make sure that people see me before this is over, Suzaku? Really, it's just a week..." Lelouch said, shaking his head slightly before taking another spoonful.

[OOC: When does Suzaku want to drag Lelouch out of his room, journal post wise? Anytime before he changes back to male is fine with me, really! XD]

"Just pointing it out"

At the ark joke, Suzaku thought momentarily of the time that the castle had turned itself into the jungle and the flood had occurred... But that was months ago, and it was unlikely that the castle would do a repeat of such a thing anyway. He was so relieved at the thought that the other hadn't been here to experience it, even if Suzaku could have easily provided the food, fire and shelter needed for Euphie and Lelouch.

"It won't spread as easily!" Suzaku replied with a smile.

Without giving Lelouch a reply, the soldier just smiled warmly before standing up to leave. "Well, I just thought you should get out more, that's all."

[ooc: Ditto that. Perhaps on Thursday?]

"Of course." Lelouch gave a slight nod at Suzaku's words. It wasn't as if Suzaku's comment was anything but true, though it was certainly Suzaku's way to try and temper Lelouch's nature at times.

At Suzaku's next comment, however, Lelouch regarded him incredulously. "That hardly means that no one will laugh, Suzaku." Surely even Suzaku could not be so naive as to imagine that a few people would be incapable of laughing at him as easily as a larger group. It would still be embarrassing.

When Suzaku gave him such a warm smile, Lelouch could feel his cheeks warming again. This state was beyond awkward, and he smiled back at Suzaku for a moment before lowering his gaze to the soup before him. "I'll be fine staying here, Suzaku. With your help... Come by anytime you like. I'm sure that I'll enjoy your company more than I would getting out of this room like this," Lelouch said.

[ooc: Sounds good to me! Lol... big finale of embarrassment before he goes back to being male. XD]

There was a sigh of defeat. Yes, there would inevitably be someone laughing at him (but neither of them realized the madness that would take the castle in a few days anyway), but it didn't mean that he couldn't enjoy the time outside. Then again, Lelouch did say that he didn't mind Suzaku's company so maybe...

Wait, was Lelouch blushing?

"okay, okay, you can stay in your room and be a hermit. When you get back to normal, at least come down to the game room with me then."

Lelouch ate a spoonful of soup and swallowed before looking up to meet Suzaku's gaze once more. At least it was a good excuse to get control of this ridiculous blushing. Why was he always more susceptible to such things when he was in this sort of a state? Even before when he had only been wearing a dress, it had been bad, but this was vastly worse.

Lelouch nodded his head at Suzaku's words and smiled at the other's agreement. "I promise you that I'll come down to the game room with you as soon as I'm back to normal. Just don't expect me to let you win everything that we play while we're there," Lelouch added, a playful note coming into his voice. Of course, if it was anything too physical, Suzaku would win regardless of what Lelouch did, but there were many other options.

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