Neon Genesis Evangelion
EVA-R Prime Extension
(c) Alex Voutsis
Writer's Notes:
Credit where credit is due to Gainax, etc etc. Evangelion is someone else's property, etc.
Additional Credits to the creators of EVA-R Illustrated Fan Fiction. Find it at http://www.eva-r.com - it is an absolutely brilliant fan fic and essential reading to understand this story. You should have read EVA-R up to episode 53 PRIME before reading this fan fiction.
The other fan fictions that are a part of this storyline are
Light of the Soul/Contact
Light of the Heart/At Last, a Reason
The Runaway
Stand By Me
Another's Touch
Thanks for Caring
House of Cards
In the Shadows
A Wish for Dreamless Sleep
Pandora's Box
Progeny / Second Child
Homeostasis/Transistasis
Faces in the Crowd
Meaningful Gestures
This fan-fiction is intended to continue the story begun in the above episodes.
Best Foot Forward
The events in this story follow on directly from Meaningful Gestures.
Touji: So you can't just, you know, hack in?
(Kensuke Aida's bedroom is a mess. It's also where his separate "lives" meet.
In one corner is Kensuke Aida, high school student. A schoolbag makes a small, sad-looking shape, half-buried under textbooks, half-used notepads and rumpled sheets of paper. This self clearly ends the moment Kensuke enters the room after school and throws his bag in the corner.
Neatly beside the bed - the most convenient place - is Kensuke's computer. This is the home of Kensuke Aida, computer jockey. Apart from the usual keyboard, mouse and monitor there are a set of hefty rectangular cases, where the guts of the computer's hardware is contained. One case is active, humming with its cooling fan, while the other is dark and silent. Both have had their covers removed - Kensuke upgrades his machine so often that he rarely bothers to cover the components. There is also an impressive sound system, with an enormous speaker flat against the floor, quietly thumping away to the rhythm of whatever music track is running and deafening the local rodent population. The rest of the desk - which isn't covered by the computer - is buried under CDs and pieces of paper.
Across the room there is a bookshelf, but the books look too dusty to have been read any time in the past year. Most of the higher shelves have been cleared out to make space for Kensuke Aida's third life - firearms. It makes a history of the boy's experience with guns - from his first plastic water pistol, to a battery powered toy that makes an electric gunshot sound, a pump-pressured watergun.. and then his more serious arsenal. The pride of Kensuke's collection is a couple of ball-bearing firing replicas which are almost indistinguishable from real weapons - which to Kensuke is so cool!! .. but to Touji is just weird - oh, and the World War II replica that is also only a BB gun.)
Kensuke: Maybe, if the grades are on an online system, which is likely with all the government control over the curriculum these days..
Touji: Well, what are you waiting for?
Kensuke: Geez Touji, why do you want to know your grades so bad? They'll be posted in a few days anyway.
(Suzahara straightens and paces around Kensuke's bedroom; his steps are even, his prosthetic leg almost unnoticeable. Absently he picks a BB rifle from the shelf and pretends to sight down it.)
Touji: A few days, yeah, then I'll shoot myself. Hikari's so into me doing well at school I think I'm gonna die.
Kensuke: So she cares, big deal. Why do you care about your results so much?
Touji: (pained) I can't get a student rep job if I get Ds! I can't believe I let Hikari talk me into that.. hey, is this thing loaded?
Kensuke: (typing) No, but don't mess around. Hey, if I can get in I might be able to alter your grades. Imagine Hikari's face when she sees a report card of As.
Touji: She'll see through it like that .. (snaps fingers) ..
Kensuke: She might just be really, really surprised.
Touji: Man, forget the lot, I ain't changing my grades. Anyhow I couldn't be a responsible rep if I cheated..
Kensuke: Huh? What's that got to do with it? No one would know.
Touji: You know that ain't the point, Kensuke.
Kensuke: You've been spending too much time with Hikari. You were about to say that cheating is wrong.
Touji: An' what if it is?
(Kensuke's fleet fingers freeze on the keyboard. After a moment, he resumes.)
Touji: So what are you screwing with now?
(Touji peers over Kensuke's shoulder as the freckled boy answers.)
Kensuke: I'm not screwing with anything. Just trying to confirm a theory..
Touji: Whaddya mean?
(Kensuke gestures to one of the scrawled-on papers on his desk. It appears to show a sketched map of the world, with certain sections circled - Japan, Europe, the east and west coasts of northern America..)
Kensuke: You know how the attack on France has the UN and everyone up on their feet about the new dangers of attacks, right?
Touji: Nah.
Kensuke: Well, it did. I've been talking with these guys-
(-Touji remembers that Kensuke sees little difference between talking to someone in the flesh and typing messages to them on a forum on the internet-)
Kensuke: -and most of the time they argue about whether it was an Angel or an Eva controlled by humans that hit Europe. They're so pretentious - I mean, they don't even know any Eva pilots, so what right do they have to disagree with me?
Touji: Huh?
Kensuke: But they all agree with me on one thing - whatever it was, it shows that they can strike in more areas.
Touji: Uh yeah.
Kensuke: Take basketball. You've got to defend the hoop - that's Tokyo-3 - and you've got four players to do that with - they're Shinji, Asuka, Ayanami and Lyn. But suddenly, you've got hoops all over the court-
Touji: (interrupting) I'm not dumb if that's what you're thinking-
Kensuke: -and so, they'll need more players to defend those hoops. Which means more Evas. This is it, I can feel it!
Touji: What, again?
Kensuke: They'll need more Eva pilots. They'll need more Eva pilots!
Touji: I know where this's headin'..
Kensuke: But it's not just the Evas, but the information! Those guys at NERV are going to be at the center of everything when this is all dealt with. I've heard stuff about delegates and representatives heading here, Tokyo-3, for a giant conference. Everyone is trying to get with NERV, and damn but I want to be there to see it.
Touji: I guess in that case, you'd really be able to hammer those guys you argue with on your computer..
Kensuke: It's the internet, not my computer, and no I wouldn't really.
Touji: Why not? You got the info, they don't, you win, right?
Kensuke: It's not that simple - not with those idiots anyway - but even if it was, I don't think I'd want to.
Touji: What?
Kensuke: Any idiot can win an argument on the net. It's about knowing the other guy is wrong. That's the really satisfying part.
Touji: I read somewhere winning an argument was like winning the special Olympics, man..
(But like always, Kensuke ploughs onwards, his continued and vehement ramblings making less and less sense to his friend.)
--------------------------------------------------
Maya: I'm out of time and you're my last hope.
(Yuri blinks.
The young woman is standing at the entrance of her apartment, having just opened the front door to find Maya Ibuki standing outside.)
Maya: You've got to help me.
Yuri: With what exactly?
Maya: (urgently) Can I come in?
Yuri: (stepping back) Of course, sure, come in..
(Yuri's long-time friend - and immediate superior - ducks inside, biting her lip with worry.
The apartment is a "standard issue", one of many in this area that had been allocated for NERV personnel when Tokyo-3 had been designed. The entire area is closely guarded by discreet security forces, and has easy access to routes to the Geo-Front and NERV headquarters.
Yuri hasn't done any serious redecoration, not with the duty hours she has to keep as part of NERV's command crew. The biggest changes are the posters that adorn nearly every spare wall. Faces and images from music bands and TV shows compete fiercely for wall space. Looking around her, Maya is suddenly reminded of the world of TV and music that she knew back in college, before coming to NERV. Her work under Ritsuko Akagi had gobbled up any time she might have used to keep up with that world.)
Yuri: So what's happening?
Maya: The conference tonight - everyone has been asking me if I'm going or not, and you know..
Yuri: So.. are you going?
Maya: (pained) Not you too..
Yuri: I'm just joking. You said you needed my help.
(Maya nods, finding her shoes interesting.)
Maya: You remember back in college, the Impact Remembrance night?
Yuri: Not exactly..
Maya: Near the refectory that sold those biscuits you always had to get?
Yuri: (suddenly nods) Oh yeah, I remember.
Maya: I don't.
Yuri: ..
Maya: I didn't turn up, remember? I had gotten dressed, had everything ready, I walked out the front door and realized just how stupid I looked.
Yuri: Well, since I wasn't there I can't really say..
Maya: Well, I don't want that to happen again, you know?
Yuri: So.. you are going to the dinner thing? The one tomorrow, at NERV?
Maya: (nods)
Yuri: And you don't want to look stupid.
Maya: I need your help.
Yuri: You won't look stupid Maya -
Maya: (interrupting) Have you seen my closet lately? I haven't got one dress. Not one, I left them all behind when I got my transfer here and I never bothered to get any since. I haven't needed to. Besides, I've never been good at picking stuff out like you are..
Yuri: Well I suppose, but.. Maya, the dinner at NERV is tomorrow. Clothes don't just appear out of thing air - and it's more than just clothes, but shoes and if you're really serious then accessories-
Maya: Late night shopping tonight. I brought my car.
Yuri: It'll be expensive.
Maya: I brought my checkbook, too.
Yuri: (giving in) Okay, let me grab my stuff..
Maya: There's one more thing.
Yuri: ..?
Maya: I brought Tenkei.
(Yuri finds her eyes focusing on the boy, who is sitting on Yuri's couch in front of the TV. Who has been sitting on the couch in front of the TV the entire time.)
Yuri: How did he..?
(The boy looks up and smiles.)
Maya: I don't want to leave him at home, alone. So can I..?
Yuri: Bring him along? Well, I suppose..
--------------------------------------------------
(What follows is, for Tenkei, a very strange experience.
For the most part it seems that if he isn't walking on aching feet, then he's sitting down waiting for something. Whatever something is, it's done behind doors labeled "Ladies changing rooms". Maya goes through these doors a lot. Tenkei guesses she has a lot of rooms to change.
When she comes out, she wears different clothes. Yuri either likes what Maya looks like or doesn't like what Maya looks like. Sometimes they ask his opinion - but the answer he gives seems to have little relevance. Regardless, Maya inevitably goes back inside and comes back wearing something new.
And not just clothes. Shoes. Apparently there is a world of difference between one pair of shoes and another. For Tenkei, the main criteria for shoes is that they stop your feet from melting and sticking to the sidewalks of Tokyo-3 on a hot day. Maya's shoes - or at least, the shoes that Tenkei normally sees Maya wearing - aren't any different from his own shoes. The shoes she is trying on now are alien. They haven't got tops. They have spikes - on the bottom, which doesn't make any sense. What if they get stuck in something?
While he may be able to project an AT field - or survive a direct hit from a Evangelion sidearm - the detail of women's fashions is entirely lost upon the young boy.
And when Yuri decides they're finished in one place, she and Maya walk away with him. But they're wearing their normal clothes, and normal shoes - whatever they bought is probably in those bags they're carrying. But instead of walking to the car and going home, they go to another place where Maya continues to spend.
At some point a hat is put on Tenkei's head.)
Yuri: Oh my god, so cute!
Maya: Adorable!
Tenkei: ..
Yuri: (examining the tag) And it's on special!
--------------------------------------------------
(With the next day Tokyo-3 awakens to the school holidays.
School is over for now, and students are now free to roam the city during the weekday. It is while walking through one such surprisingly packed shopping center that Aoi Tamashii becomes aware of sudden attention, of sharp interest.
Several minds, maybe half a dozen, working tightly together, following the movements of their target. They are attentive, focused, and trained for this task. They communicate between each other, informing each other as their ward changes course, stops in her walk, and resumes. They watch the streets, wary, but comfortable.)
Aoi: ..
(Tamashii is familiar with minds like these. Whenever she is near Lyn they are there; agents from NERV security, trailing him, shadowing him. For a time, Aoi had such a team of agents following her.
And for a very short time, she had felt the focused intents of dozens of such men - trained soldiers, each with a rifle leveled at her. Each ready to kill, and each completely unaware of their impotence against her AT field.
Compared to the constantly shifting and unfocused intentions of pedestrians and drivers, the thoughts of the NERV security team are sharp and clear, touching the edges of Aoi's mind with hard edges that instantly alert her. They are following someone.. not her, of course. She had evaded her security teams with the same technique that Tenkei had hidden himself and Rei from their attention.
Rei Ayanami - she's found her.)
Rei: ..
(The First Child is suddenly walking beside Aoi, her eyes level with the street.)
Rei: Why are you hiding yourself?
Aoi: Going to give me away?
Rei: No.
Aoi: ...
Rei: The guards will not think it unusual if I talk to.. myself.
(They walk in silence for a moment. Aoi tests the edges of thought around her, seeking and finding the security teams. Brushing against their minds, she knows - they are still following Rei, but are completely unaware of herself as she walks beside the First Child.)
Aoi: One of the few people in the world who might actually find me.. and you decided to come looking. Isn't that just my luck?
(If Rei thinks that's funny then she isn't showing it.
Despite her abilities, Aoi cannot penetrate the veil that conceals Rei's intents; the First Child's stunted capacities have long worked with her seclusion to push away intrusive minds, leaving her with her own space, her own quiet. This has also rendered her a bit of mystery to Tamashii - contact is not impossible, only very difficult for the most part.
Although at several points she has had to make contact with her..)
Rei: I never thanked you for what you did.
Aoi: What I did?
Rei: Tenkei. I know you helped him.
Aoi: Oh. That.
Rei: ..
(A slightly alarming thought occurs to the Seventh Child; could Rei, even now, be touching on her mind without her knowledge?
Aoi dismisses the thought as paranoid fantasy.)
Aoi: Well.. we made a deal. Something for something.
Rei: Something for Tenkei.
Aoi: ..
Rei: It will be something horrible, won't it?
Aoi: ..
Rei: When you ask me to do.. whatever it is you want me to do, it'll be something I would never want to do.
Aoi: ..
Rei: ..
(And Aoi blurts out a sudden thought.)
Aoi: (quickly) If I told you to fall in love with Lyn Anouilh, could you do it?
Rei: Anouilh?
Aoi: Yes. Could you?
(Rei seems to seriously think over this, giving the question far more consideration than Aoi had.)
Rei: I don't know if I could love him.
Aoi: ..
Rei: But I could most likely pretend.
Aoi: Hmmph.
Rei: (glancing over) Is that what you want me to do?
Aoi: No.
Rei: ..
Aoi: It was just a thought.
Rei: ..
Aoi: Not as horrible as you expected, was it?
Rei: I don't know.
(Suddenly Tamashii laughs out loud, closing her eyes in her mirth. The sound draws no attention from her fellow pedestrians - not a look, not even a glance, as if they do not hear her.)
Aoi: Pretend to love someone. The very idea!
(Rei remains quiet in the wake of Aoi's laughter.)
Aoi: Weird thing is, I know how you'd do it. Just like how you tried to be a mother.
Rei: ..
Aoi: That whole deal on the swing - you had no idea, but you copied what you saw other people doing.
Rei: It seemed to be the right way to use the swing.
(Aoi's laughter drops down to a sigh as she kicks at a paper cup on the sidewalk.)
Aoi: Rei, can I ask you a question?
Rei: ..?
Aoi: When you wake up in the morning, do you remind yourself to be the same Rei Ayanami as you were the day before?
--------------------------------------------------
Misato: Security entrances?
Asuka: (eyes closed, head back) Okay.. two on the upper level, far ends, and three on the lower. One at the main entrance, one near the service entrance, and one in the north wall. And there'll be the guys on the upper level overlooking-
Misato: (interrupting, hands up) Okay, I'm convinced. You know it.
(The Second Child opens her eyes and grins at her little victory. She and Misato are in the living room of the Major's apartment, trying to lounge around while doing last-minute revisions of what is going to happen tonight. The balcony door is open, letting in the sound of Tokyo-3 midday traffic.)
Asuka: Ikari sure is taking his time in there.
Misato: (smiling) So did you, Asuka.
(The teenager glances down at her uniform. Misato had chosen Shinji and Asuka's nearly identical outfits, and Sohryu hasn't found much to complain about. It is a dark suit with red highlights and NERV insignia, strikingly similar to Misato's official black and red uniform. Of course there is no indication of rank on Asuka's outfit, but simply a red "02".
In Asuka's opinion, it's a vast improvement over the other ensembles - figurehugging, disgustingly bulbous, or embarrassingly bare - that she's had to wear since coming to Tokyo-3.)
Misato: You look very adult, trust me. You should relax, it'll probably end up being boring. Unless the party gets crashed by a giant robot or something.
Asuka: Well, that'll be Lyn's job, won't it? (looks over) About time, Shinji.
(The Third Child steps into the living room, still trying to settle the edges of his new outfit. It is essentially the same as Asuka's, except for the slacks instead of a long skirt, and the "03" in red where rank would normally be indicated.)
Shinji: Well, I guess I'm ready. (fiddles with cuffs)
Misato: (standing) Your collar, Shinji.
(Ikari looks slightly embarrassed as the Major touches up his collar, setting it right-
-Asuka smiles as she watches the boy endure Misato's attentive attentions -
-then Katsuragi stops and stares.)
Shinji: Uh.. Misato?
(Katsuragi leans forwards, her dark eyes pinning the pilot of Unit 01 to the wall. This is far too close for Shinji's comfort - and probably too close for Asuka's. Of course, with the wall at his back Shinji doesn't have much choice.)
Shinji: What is it?
(When Misato speaks her voice is low and steady.)
Misato: (quiet) Who gave you permission to grow taller?
Shinji: (speechless) ..
(Asuka quickly stands. From her new vantage point she has a perfect view of what Misato has just realized. Even as the Major corners Shinji, the Third Child is nowhere near concealed behind Misato. In fact, he's a little.. higher.)
Misato: Taller than me?
Asuka: No way, lemme see!
(Sohryu barges past, and Shinji is forced into uncomfortably close quarters with his back against the wall, again.)
Asuka: Straighten those knees Ikari!
(He obediently straightens up, the back of his jacket rasping lightly against the wall as he goes up.. and up. And up.
When finally Shinji Ikari is standing upright, he is a full inch taller than Asuka.
An inch.
An INCH. It may as well be a mile, or a mountain. He's TALLER.
This is TERRIBLE. Of all the places in the where an inch could crop up it had to appear on Shinji Ikari's head, where it would do the most damage. A horrible, destructive inch, bent on shattering the natural order of the world where Shinji is LOWER than Asuka, or at the very worst isn't noticeably TALLER. But now order in the world is gone, giving way to chaos and confusion, when nothing has a set place and an inch can throw down heaven..)
Asuka: (huffing) He's still not much to look at.
--------------------------------------------------
Goro: Why do I have to do this..?
(The schoolboy rubs his forehead in anguish, looking up at the camera. Kensuke zooms in and out, trying to get the best shot of Goro with the squat steel structure behind him. The two of them are standing outside one of the armored entrances to the Geo-Front; for Kensuke and Goro, this is as close as they can get to NERV and its operations.
Kensuke can feel the sheer cool of the Evangelions somewhere below him, running through the ground and up his feet, shaking his very being with the thought of all that awesome power. Goro, proving that his head is screwed on correctly, feels nothing. Except maybe they should move away from the entrance in case some security spooks see them recording and decide to do something.)
Kensuke: It's real simple. Just tell me what you told me.
Goro: What, now?
Kensuke: No, before.
Goro: You mean what I said before?
Kensuke: (nodding) Say it now.
(Goro straightens and clears his throat, facing the camera.)
Goro: Okay. Okay, yesterday Touji, Kensuke-
Kensuke: (chiming in) That's me.
Goro: -and I were thinking of going to the movies the next night, which is tonight. I called up Ikari's place to talk to Shinji about it, if he wanted to come or not.
Kensuke: And what did he say?
Goro: Well, he didn't actually say anything at that point because it was Sohryu that answered the phone. I told her what I was calling for-
Kensuke: (quiet) Big mistake..
Goro: (continuing) -and she delayed and played dumb and gave me the run around, until finally she said Shinji was home and she'd call him to the phone.
Kensuke: And he said?
Goro: He said he couldn't come, because he had to go in to work tomorrow - tonight, I mean - for a dinner thing.
(Kensuke turns the camera around, speaking to the lens.)
Kensuke: Shinji and dinner? Shinji and dinner? This must be something official! I'm sure that since the destruction of the last enemy, an Evangelion, enormous changes have been taking place! The world cannot stand idly by as terrorists use giant robots to kick ass across the planet!
Goro: Isn't that a line from a computer game?
(Aida continues, gesturing as he speaks.)
Kensuke: And it is here, or actually below here, with the Evas, that things are changing. Tonight!
Goro: Or maybe Shinji just has a date.
Kensuke: Are you going to draw ridiculous conclusions all day??
Goro: I'm just saying, it's not entirely impossible..
Voice: (distant) If you're not so sure about it, then maybe you shouldn't go.
(The two boys firmly shut their mouths, hushing automatically at the approach of strangers. They glance over, waiting to see how long it will take for the newcomers - two women and a child - to pass by so they can get back to talking.
In all honesty, neither of the boys pay attention to the child. If they had, they might have noticed his bizarre eyes almost hidden under the brim of his cap - the cap that certain people had insisted that he wear to NERV today. Kensuke and Goro don't pay to much attention to one of the women either - they're too busy staring at the other girl, the one who's speaking now..
Goro's jaw drops. Then Kensuke's draw drops. Then Kensuke's camera rises.)
Maya: No, I'm going to do it. (pause, firmer) I'm going to do it.
(The boys stare.)
Yuri: (grinning) That's better. You could kill a man on sight in that outfit, Maya.
Maya: (embarrassed) Please don't say that, that's not what I'm after right now..
(Kensuke simply records. Goro simply stares. The two women pass by without seeing the boys - the gold-eyed child turns an unseen gaze on them - heading for the entrance to the Geo-Front, the backdrop Kensuke was using for the recording.
ID cards slide through scanners, and the alloy doors slide open for them. They disappear from view.
Kensuke breathes.)
Goro: Oh wow.
Kensuke: Tell me about it..
Goro: She was..
Kensuke: .. beautiful.
Goro: Yeah.
Kensuke: Just great.
Goro: Uh.
Kensuke: What?
Goro: Did we just see.. Shinji's date?
Kensuke: Shinji's date?
(The two boys consider this for a moment. Simultaneously they come to identical conclusions.)
Goro: (slowly) That unbelievably lucky bastard ..
Kensuke: I can't believe it. First the Evas, then Misato, now this!?
Goro: ..
Kensuke: ..
Goro: Can I get a copy of the tape when you're done?
(Aida shakes his head, grinning to himself.)
Kensuke: You'll just have to download it like everyone else.
--------------------------------------------------
(Katsuragi addresses the gathered NERV personnel, her hands raised for attention.)
Misato: Alright. We have maybe three minutes before the delegates finish watching the presentation in the display room. Then the Commander will bring them out into the dining hall, and everything will be go.
(As the Major continues, Shinji finds himself feeling nervous about this - right at the last minute, too! He hadn't been bothered by what he has come to think of as "the UN dinner". It occurs to him that he should have expected nerves tonight. It also occurs to him that he can expect absolutely no help from Asuka.
Upon arriving at the Geo-Front Shinji has noticed that yes, Misato had been right - he is taller. People he pass in the Geo-Front don't seem to loom over him the way they used to. In fact, a lot of the women who work at NERV seem surprisingly short to his new perspective. It makes him feel.. bigger? More confident, he guesses, knowing that he actually fits a NERV uniform rather than having one made in size small for him.
That confidence is definitely there, but right now it is accompanied by a leaping and dancing sensation in the pit of his stomach. Shinji settles for blaming it on last minute nerves. Either that, or something in the curry lunch Misato made is now alive and squirming in his digestive system, which might be closer to the truth.)
Shinji: (thinking) No, it's nerves. Just nerves.
Shinji: (thinking) NERV nerves.
(Now that is a joke so bad that he's never going to say it out loud.
Shinji touches his ear lightly - an earpiece is lodged there, identical to the ones worn by all the NERV staff present. It serves two purposes - first, it is linked by wire to a palm-sized translator neatly hidden in a jacket pocket of his uniform, and secondly it is linked into NERV's security channels, enabling staff to send messages to any wired personnel.
The guests will be wearing NERV issue devices that are similar, except they have no link to NERV security - unless you count the bugging and tracking devices built in to each.)
Misato: Lyn, are you okay with this?
Lyn: I don't mind Misato. Just give me some advance warning when they head down to the cage.
(The Sixth Child wears his plugsuit, looking out of place in the carpeted and well-furnished room. He is not going to be attending the dinner, but instead has another task tonight. Behind him is Major Arnold Hayridge, who has been speaking to Lyn quietly in English for the last few minutes. Shinji shrugs - maybe Lyn has nerves too.
Anouilh leaves quietly, without any display; that will come later when he begins the Unit 06 demonstration.)
Shinji: (turning) ..
(Asuka Langley Sohryu stands next to Shinji, and displays none of the discomfort Shinji feels. Her earlier reaction to his height has had Ikari worried. Shinji is sure of what he saw - a swarm of emotions storming over the young woman's face - but then she had fallen back on a simple insult. And worse it had been an insult she had already used!)
Shinji: (thinking) Losing her edge?
Asuka: What are you looking at?
Shinji: Uh.. nothing.
(What is he looking at?
He is looking at Asuka in her NERV uniform. As "grown up" as he might feel, seeing Asuka this way is setting something off in Shinji, making him want to say something about it. A compliment, maybe. A comment on how she looks, possibly.
Something, anyway.
Why is he feeling this? Shinji would like to have a little time to think about it, but something is pressuring him..)
Asuka: Shinji, what is it?
Shinji: Well, your.. uniform.
Asuka: (eyes him suspiciously)
Shinji: It's just, if I didn't know you I'd say you were a person from NERV.
Asuka: I am a person from NERV, Shinji.
(Asuka resists an almost overpowering urge to smirk.
It's not that she enjoys watching Shinji awkwardly fumble for the right words. Alright, that's a lie. She does enjoy watching Shinji awkwardly fumble for the right words. It's only when he's fumbling that Asuka is sure that he's really trying to say something. If the words just came out smoothly with no effort, they wouldn't be worth as much.
Of course it occasionally makes Shinji seem clumsy.. all right, that's another lie. It always makes Shinji seem clumsy.)
Shinji: Asuka, You know what I mean..
Asuka: I do? Well, that clears it right up then.
Shinji: I mean that you look.. nice, kinda.
Asuka: (bland) Nice kinda, huh?
Shinji: Yeah.
(This is just too perfect.)
Asuka: Nice kinda huh yeah?
Shinji: Don't be that way Asuka..
Asuka: (innocent) What way? This is important stuff Shinji. We work together, making it vital that we're completely honest with each other. Me knowing that you think I look nice kinda huh yeah is of great assistance to my performance as a pilot.
Shinji: (sighing) You look great, okay?
Asuka: ..
Asuka: (thinking) Only Shinji could give up as he crosses the finish line..
Shinji: (quietly) Really great.
Asuka: (thinking) Or maybe..
(She remains silent, but flashes a glance at him, to let him know he has her attention. He catches the look, and shifts a bit; this is going better than Asuka could have expected.
And then everything collapses as Maya Ibuki enters the room.)
Misato: Maya, glad you decided to join.. (trails off)
(The conversations in the room do not die. This is not a western, and Maya Ibuki isn't the stranger stepping into the suddenly quiet saloon. The sentences keep going but it's just that no one cares, leaving a lot of words floating around feeling lonely. Everyone doesn't stare at Maya and her outfit. They simply take every opportunity to sneak a look over at her. Very quickly, the attention in the room gathers around the young Lieutenant.
Katsuragi and Sohryu are both wearing uniforms, as part of Misato's idea of emphasizing the military aspect of NERV. Maya has clearly not dressed with this in mind. She is not wearing a uniform, but a dress. A short dress. Red with black in touches - the same colors as NERV's presentation uniforms - but clearly not military. Very clearly not military, very clearly a dress that was chosen - possibly cut and styled - specifically for Maya by someone who knew exactly what visual strings to pull and optical buttons to press.
Unlike Misato and Asuka's uniforms, Ibuki's dress allows her to visibly have legs. And she has legs. Of course, Maya's legs are only one facet of what has suddenly stolen the attention of the room.)
Arnold: (in English) This might cause some security issues.
(Misato suddenly feels unaccountably.. baggy. Sagging. Old, even. Which strikes her as particularly unfair, as she is neither baggy, sagging or old. A quick glance downwards confirms this - no bagging, no sagging and definitely no olding. But seeing Maya in that outfit makes her feel like a craggy relic, wearing a stiff, hot and uncomfortable uniform when she should be wearing something.. something like what Maya is wearing. Exactly what Maya is wearing. Yes, exactly that.
A small fashion-conscious voice in Katsuragi's head tells her that she'd look horrible in red with her hair color. The rest of Katsuragi's head believes that a bit of dye is a small price to pay.
Asuka, meanwhile, feels like a boy. A little flat boy. Flat, in that way - you know! Suddenly she remembers all the time she spent wanting to be grown up, wanting to be older, more mature, someone that people would take seriously. And now that she's there, what did she do? She let some stupid woman dress her up in a uniform! A horrible, yucky uniform that makes her look like a bean bag when compared to Maya's outfit.
And in the meantime, Shinji and many of the other men in the room are discovering how entrancing just a few inches of exposed back can be. And many more inches of exposed leg, but that's beside the point.)
Maya: (fast, impatient) Okay, I'm here, for all of you who badgered me into coming.
(Asuka had felt a peculiar warmth as Shinji had struggled with commenting on her looks. All that warmth vanishes in the ice cold realization that Shinji is staring at Maya. Yes, he's staring. The other people in the room have the social skills to at least pretend they're looking at something else, but Shinji is full-on staring at her, lacking even the maturity to make his eyes go to other places occasionally.)
Misato: Yes.. you are here.
(This is horribly, horribly unfair.
Living with Misato, and all the body parts attached to Misato, is pretty bad. Puberty is unsettling enough without having Misato as a live-in comparison. And then there's Rei Ayanami, picture perfect Rei, who even with her messed up hair - which she obviously never does anything more than rake her fingers through it - and boring rumpled school uniform manages to act as some sort of a Shinji magnet without her even trying.
That's enough material for jealousy. A normal human being doesn't need any more jealousy than that. If she had to compete for Shinji - not as if she does or wants to or would ever dream of doing, Asuka adds mentally - then Misato and Rei are bad enough to deal with.
But now this, this, this-
-this short haired tomboy with no life, at least not any that Asuka knows or cares about, who has spent the last year and a half only existing as background noise in Asuka's life, nothing more than a voice on the other end of a radio, has the temerity to dress like a woman. And Shinji, poor, stupid Shinji, is responding - for probably the first time in his entire life - like a typical male. And if he keeps this up in front of Asuka, it might become the last time in his life.
How can this have happened? What hidden switch was flicked in Shinji's head to make him do this? This is Shinji Ikari, the boy who was terrified of how thermal expansion would work with Asuka Langley Sohryu and her swimsuit! What's happened to him?
It's all horribly, horribly unfair, and yet strangely enough.. it is absolutely fucking typical.
And yes, that is exactly what Asuka thinks.)
Maya: What's the matter? (looking around) God, I just want this to get over with.
(And then it gets worse. Shinji takes a step towards Maya.
It's a slow, slightly dawdling step, that puts Asuka in mind of a moth flying lazily towards a flame, unaware that it is about to experience a flaring, painful death.
Asuka shakes her head. Maya Ibuki is not a flame. Maya Ibuki is some girl in Central Dogma. Maya Ibuki is some tech junkie who lives in computer systems. Maya Ibuki is a distant voice that says things like "It's totally out of control!" If not for an incorrectly placed X chromosome - where the Y chromosome should be - Maya Ibuki would be a boy. She is not a flame. There is no similarity between an Ibuki and a flame. There is nothing even remotely flamelike about her!
But, Asuka reflects, Shinji is perfectly described as a moth. Small and brown, with large, overly sensitive feelers. Will cling to one spot until you jab it. Circles around things. Very, very stupid.)
Shinji: (cautiously) Do you.. normally go to.. things, dressed like that?
Maya: What? No, not normally - why, do you think it's too much?
(Misato - who has in the last ten seconds considered driving home and getting changed in the minute-and-a-half they have left - is enormously satisfied by seeing Maya look around nervously. All of the male staff are wearing uniforms, and all of the female staff except for Ibuki..
..no, there's another girl out of uniform, a poor traumatized soul in a long green dress who is trying to hide behind the crowd, afraid to be compared to Ibuki. Maya - to Misato's disgust - draws strength from the fact that she isn't the only woman out of uniform. Katsuragi mentally groans; she had hoped for a little angst and insecurity.)
Shinji: No! No, that's.. fine, I guess..
(And Asuka draws a little strength that at least Shinji's inability to give a decent complement hasn't failed her. Bad enough that his backbone spontaneously grows at the sight of Ibuki in a red dress. If he had magically produced a smooth, well-worded compliment, then the world would have ended.
Wait a second, she's wearing a red dress!)
Asuka: (thinking) She stole my color!
(The Third Child walks back to Asuka - well, goes back the one step he took - and shakes his head.)
Shinji: (quietly) Wow. Look at those.. earrings.
Asuka: (stunned)
(She looks - yes, Ibuki is wearing earrings. Fairly nice earrings. Large enough to be visible, small enough to avoid being tacky. The sort of earrings that boys never notice or comment on, unless they're trying to be smooth.)
Asuka: (slowly) What's with her earrings?
Shinji: Nothing, I guess. I just never really paid attention to anyone enough to notice earrings.
Asuka: (deliberately) Yes Shinji. You haven't paid close attention to anyone.
(This doesn't register.)
Shinji: You know, I can barely see the translation unit. (laughs) It's just surprising, really. I never really imagined Miss Ibuki like that.
(Now Shinji is not a moth fluttering into a candle's flame. He's a moth flying headlong into a nuclear furnace. A moth that is buzzing happily.)
Asuka: There's a lot of things you've never imagined, Shinji.
Shinji: (grinning) Yeah, I guess. I mean, wow. You have to admit, she looks really nice.
Asuka: Just think Shinji; someday, you could look like that.
(Neurons in Shinji's brain belatedly fire warning signals.)
Shinji: Are you feeling okay Asuka?
Asuka: Gee, I wonder. I know, let's do a survey and see what my knuckles think.
(She lifts a clenched fist to chin level.)
Asuka: (to fist) Do you think Shinji is being a dick? (pause) Really? (another pause) You feel that strongly about it? (lethal pause) Well Ms Knuckles, I suggest you take it up with Shinji. (raises fist)
(Asuka is interrupted by Misato finally giving the order.)
Misato: (loud) Okay everyone, it's time.
(As the gathered NERV personnel move slowly through the exits - much slower around Maya Ibuki than in other areas - Asuka keeps up with Shinji to vent her discomfort a bit more.)
Asuka: Okay Shinji, just let me do all the talking. I know how to handle these people.
Shinji: You do?
Asuka: Well no, but I can't be any worse than you.
--------------------------------------------------
(He still has plenty of time.
Lyn Anouilh had jumped at the chance to avoid the dinner. He doesn't want to hear another person tell him how his father's death had been a tragedy. He's heard all that before, from the UNSynaps personnel, and from Arnold Hayridge. He's heard it enough.
He had volunteered for the activation as soon as he had heard. He isn't really eager to try out Unit 06 again - although he supposes that he is meant to be excited about having his own Eva - but he is content to be out of the public light. This had been a chance to get out of that dinner, away from those people.
He grips the shoulder of his plugsuit as he shifts his arm around, making sure the fabric is set. Beside him on the gantry rests the plugseat, ready to be moved to the entry plug. Evangelion Unit 06 stands silent in its restraints, awaiting its pilot. Its two-eye configuration and faceplate greatly resembled those on the destroyed Unit 03; the old design had been reused here, fitted onto the unfinished Eva.
Before coming to NERV he had briefly been synchronized with this Evangelion. It had been a long time ago, back in France, with this same giant that now bears his designation. It had been little more than a compatibility test, to see if he could work with the Eva. He barely remembers it - he doesn't remember the awareness through Eva that he now has almost instinctively. And certainly this Evangelion, sleek and complete, gleaming yellow as the last of the coolant is drained from its cage, bears little resemblance to the unfinished creature he had synchronized with.
And Lyn finds himself smiling. It isn't a bitter smile, but something wry, something accepting.
Unit 06 bears little resemblance to the Eva he first synchronized with - just like he has little in common with the child who had first synchronized within it.
He's changed. Since then, he's become someone else - someone with the same blood, the same bones, the same memories, but also someone whose path has been pushed to one side by something much larger. The Eva project, and the people has met here, has altered him.
Lyn finds that the question of better or worse doesn't bother him. If he is somehow a.. less painful person, with a "better" life, seems such a stupid idea.)
Lyn: I'm.. just me.
(And something there eludes him - some thought or revelation that would make sense of it. A final knot that would tie his thoughts around in a perfect circuit escapes him, slips out of his grip.
Lyn Anouilh shakes his head. He still has plenty of time, plenty of time to think.)
--------------------------------------------------
(Steak was not cheap in Japan before the Second Impact, and the economic and ecological collapses that followed did nothing for the market. The meal on the plate before him is worth more than a week of take-out; he doesn't try to guess how much food for everyone present is costing NERV.
Shinji Ikari has never really liked steak. The idea of eating money never struck his stomach as appetizing.
Beside him the Second Child is patiently sawing at her meal, maintaining polite conversation with the others at the table. "Polite conversation" isn't something normally seen from Asuka; all trace of her usual impatience, selfishness, standoffishness.. everything Shinji knew as Asuka seems to be gone.
There are big people at this table - ranking officers, diplomats.. but somehow Shinji doesn't believe that these particular people are really that important to NERV. The really vital people - potential allies - are probably sitting over with Commander Fuyutsuki at "the grown-ups' table" rather than exiled here, with the children.
On the other hand, maybe these people don't see them as children, but as pilots - soldiers, vitally important soldiers. Shinji isn't entirely sure as he listens to the conversation via his translator.)
General: (continuing) ..to say the least. I will be honest - concerned parties in my country have had their doubts about the Eva project for some time. And now, their own purpose being replaced by NERV, it's becoming more than a concern.
Asuka: I wouldn't be worried in your position, General.
(And most of the conversation seems to be directed at Asuka, rather than at Shinji. This fact, combined with how strangely appealing she looks in her new guise, is making the Third Child very uncomfortable. The inexplicable fist she had been waving at him before - just after Maya had made her amazing entrance, Shinji remembers - is only a memory; she certainly isn't threatening him now. But the memory bothers him; somehow he had missed something very important that was going on, something that Asuka is sure to remind him about later, after all this is over.
But what makes it worse is just how well Asuka is handling herself.)
Asuka: NERV has always used military craft in support roles for the Evas; in fact, the Evangelions cannot function without them in many cases.
Major: After the demonstration videos I'm finding that a small comfort.
(Just before coming into the main hall, NERV's guests had been treated to a viewing of video clips from Evangelion activations - presumably from the wargame they had undergone only a few days before. As yet, none of the people at the table have asked any serious questions about it.)
Shinji: (thinking) They probably can't believe that it was us inside the Evas..
Asuka: When tanks became commonplace in armed forces, did they render infantry useless? No. They changed their role, yes, but hardly made them obsolete.
(Shinji didn't know Asuka knew anything about tanks, and maybe she doesn't, but it sounds convincing. And certainly those two military guys seem happy with what she's saying. Or maybe they're just smiling at Asuka.
Now Shinji feels really uncomfortable.)
Asuka: The same is happening here. NERV will not be able to function without military support; in fact, it's not really you who need our help, but us that need yours.
Lieutenant: Of course there's security for the pilots, for which you'll need more or less conventional forces. I believe that you and Ikari share residence..?
(Shinji feels a lot of attention center on him, attention that he really doesn't want.
He knows what this looks like. Pilot or not, he's a "young person" to these people, and he's sitting next to a pretty girl. A pretty girl he works with. A pretty girl he lives with. These military people probably think they know exactly what's going on between them.)
Lieutenant: That must make the task of protecting pilots easier - and Major Katsuragi, the head of operations, as well as the Sixth Child, all in the one building.
Asuka: Well, there are good and bad sides to putting all your eggs in one basket.
Shinji: But I guess, afterwards, it's easier to see the good things.
General: Oh yes?
(Asuka doesn't comment on Shinji's statement, but her eyes drill holes in his skull as she waits for him to continue. He knows he has to make this count.)
Shinji: Well, convenience, like you say, was definitely an advantage. (pause) But it's also a good thing to know and trust who you're working with.. you can trust their orders, their judgement, and understand how they think..
(Asuka deems this acceptable, and adds to it.)
Asuka: And certainly it's allowed us to work with Major Katsuragi better, and each other.
Shinji: But it's not always that way. I mean, Ayanami lives miles away by comparison.
(Shinji misses the quick look Asuka sends him.)
General: Where is the First Child? I haven't been able to pick her out, and since she's not at this table-
Shinji: She isn't here.
General: She isn't?
Asuka: Only myself, Shinji and Lyn Anouilh.
Shinji: (adding) Lyn isn't actually here here. He's.. busy.
Lieutenant: He's busy? With what?
Asuka: That's a surprise. Think of it as classified.
General: Well, there was more I was wondering. I had expected that the conference would be headed by Commander Ikari -
(-he nods towards Shinji, as if the Third Child wouldn't recognize the reference to his father-)
General: - but all communications I received prior to this were from Commander Fuyutsuki. And if I'm not mistaken, those are the stripes of a full Commander he's wearing.
Shinji: They are. Commander Fuyutsuki is essentially in total control of NERV.
(Asuka doesn't open her mouth on this one, but lets Shinji deal with it.)
Shinji: (quiet) My father has.. chosen to stand down from his position. And that is his own choice to make.
(Ikari returns his attention to his overpriced meal, not adding to his explanation.)
Asuka: As I was saying, we're practically on first-name basis with a lot of the staff here, and that helps everywhere really - communication, security, the running of the whole show, really.
(The Second Child pauses for a fraction of a second, then sets her cutlery down. Shinji is a little surprised as the girl stands.)
Asuka: Excuse me, but I have 'ladies business' to attend to.
Shinji: (thinking) Ladies business?
(The alien phrase coming out of Asuka's mouth horrifies Shinji for some reason. Hyuga's voice, audible only to Shinji through his earpiece, explains.)
Hyuga: (radio) Don't worry Shinji, she's just been called over by the Commander.
(Shinji almost asks a question in reply, but doesn't dare - not in front of the guests.)
--------------------------------------------------
(While NERV deal with their guests, another gathering is taking place.
From across the globe they have called each other together. None of them are attending the meeting in Tokyo-3; with recent events it would be far too dangerous to expose themselves.)
SEELE: And they will leave believing that NERV will protect them.
SEELE: They are not all so foolish. They will examine alternatives, if they are presented to them.
SEELE: Alliances with other nations could strengthen their position dangerously.
SEELE: Or divide their forces, weakening them.
Kihl: But that will be irrelevant. Events in the schedule will finish this long before any alliance bears fruit.
SEELE: Perhaps.. if our own allies do not attempt another "surprise."
--------------------------------------------------
(Asuka hadn't come back to the table.
Shinji's earpiece dangles from its spring-like cord, waggling uselessly over his shoulder. As soon as he had gotten into the men's room Shinji had popped the device free and headed for the washbasins. As he rubs his face with wet hands, he realizes how much of effort it had taken to constantly listen to the droning translations.)
Misato: How are you doing?
(Asuka had managed to hold up her facade of disturbing "normalness" during the evening, but Shinji had found it a strain. He feels oddly stiff - maybe from the uniform, maybe from a effort of dealing with the guests out in the dining hall.)
Shinji: I thought this was the men's bathroom?
Misato: I was wondering how you're feeling. (leans against the wall) How are you feeling?
Shinji: (takes a breath) A little tired. I'd just like to go home, you know? But I'll make it - watching Asuka at play out there..
Misato: What?
Shinji: She's being so.. un-Asuka. Almost, sort of polite. Professional. It's weird.
Misato: She's been doing great. If we have to arrange something like this again, we might put her in a more important role.
(The young man rubs his face with a towel.)
Shinji: Aren't you worried someone might walk in?
Misato: They're all heading down to the cage for the demonstration. You've done well - your job is basically over. The guests aren't exactly going straight home after this, but you won't have to do any more parading.
Shinji: Great.
(As Shinji finishes up, Katsuragi walks around to where he stands. She speaks softly.)
Misato: You know where this whole thing is heading, right?
Shinji: What do you mean?
Misato: These people are hoping that NERV will send Evas to protect them. This can't happen, of course, at least not right away. We simply don't have the Units, or the pilots.
Shinji: So we're be making more Evas?
Misato: (hesitates) It's more complicated than that. There are.. political factors at stake.
Shinji: Political? How can this have anything to do with politics?
Misato: These people aren't just here to give us their help. They want us to show that we're willing to put ourselves at risk for them.
Misato: There are facilities in Germany where they made Unit Two, and a lot of spare parts for the Evas. Those facilities are going to be restaffed and put back into operation.
Shinji: Uh huh..
Misato: But the enemy we're fighting now isn't like the Angels. The Angels only attacked here, Tokyo-3. These people.. are smarter than that. The facilities in Germany could be seen as a threat, and so we'll have to send over one of our Evangelions to protect them.
(Shinji freezes.)
Shinji: You're sending one of us to Germany?
Misato: They're sending Asuka. It's already been decided.
Shinji: (stammering) What - just now, they - decided just then?
Misato: (apologetic) No, this conference is just for show. Most of the real decisions were made days ago. I've discussed it with the Commander, offered alternatives.. but in the end, this was the only option.
Shinji: But why her? Why does she have to go?
Misato: (patiently) She's the best choice. She already knows the language that most of the staff will be speaking. She's familiar with the power grid and the weapon stations that are there - she trained in Unit Two in Germany, remember? And since we're still working out the bugs in Unit Six, and Rei is being.. unresponsive..
Shinji: (bitter) And Unit One can never leave the city.
Misato: Shinji..
Shinji: I know.
Misato: Shinji, listen to me.
Shinji: When is she going?
Misato: Maybe two weeks, maybe less - Shinji listen to me!
(The Third Child stifles his incredulous response.)
Misato: I promise you that she's not going away for ever.
(Shinji backs up, clamping his mouth shut as his gaze drops down and away. Katsuragi steps up to him and grabs him by the shoulders.)
Misato: (urgent) She's going to come back, I'm going to make sure of it.
(He feels his throat go suddenly sore, made worse by the tone in Misato's words.)
Misato: (voice cracking) Do you hear me?
(And for a long, horrible moment, Shinji Ikari does nothing.
He looks at Misato, at the expression on her face, at the feelings that mirror his own. She doesn't want Asuka to go. Shinji doesn't want her to go.
He knows through her touch, through the tones in her voice, that Misato feels the same thing as him - the same surge of anger, the need to find someone to blame, the need to find some other way.)
Shinji: (hesitant) It isn't your fault.
(And Misato laughs, leaning forwards slightly to hug Shinji briefly. The Third Child pushes away slightly, getting a bit of room to move.)
Shinji: It isn't.
Misato: Don't give me this understanding crap. That sensitive new age guy stuff went out of fashion before Second Impact.
Shinji: ..
(Misato takes a breath and speaks. The breaking tone in her voice is gone, and Shinji feels that somehow he has done the right thing. He just isn't sure what.)
Misato: Asuka said she wants a day to do nothing - just relax, nothing to worry about. So I'm not going to tell her yet, not for a few days.
Shinji: (eyes down) Thanks, Misato.
Misato: Take her to the movies. Have a party. Get your friends together, Hikari and everyone. Something.
Shinji: Yeah.. I think I should. But we're going to have to tell her.
Misato: I know, but that can wait just a bit, okay? (turning) Besides, we've got Lyn's activation to get to.
--------------------------------------------------
(As Shinji and Misato walk into the observation chamber, they are greeted by a familiar voice.)
Asuka: (gesturing) Get over here Shinji! Down there, we can see their faces from here!
(The Third Child heads for the window of the chamber and stands beside Asuka. Katsuragi heads over to join Hyuga and Yuri, at work at the consoles, overseeing Unit 06's activation.)
Shinji: Where are all the people? Shouldn't the guests be watching?
Misato: They're all out on the platform, inside. With the Evas.
Asuka: (gleeful) Front row seats. Lyn's going to scare their pants off.
(Ikari looks out through the plexiglass screen, down into the Evangelion storage chamber. The observing guests stand on a gantry on the opposite side of the cage - surprisingly close to where Unit 06 is ready and waiting. Even at this distance it can be seen that they are all wearing ear defenders.)
Yuri: Major Katsuragi, have you seen Maya?
Misato: Yeah, she was at the dinner, but I lost sight of her a few minutes ago.. why?
Yuri: (innocently) Oh, I just wanted to ask her how things went.
Hyuga: Lyn, are you ready?
Lyn: (radio) Yeah.
Asuka: Give 'em hell, Six!
Misato: Lyn, don't get carried away. Just move around, take a few steps. Show them that you can see them.
Yuri: Beginning activation, Major.
(As the familiar countdown of systems commences, Shinji finds himself glancing over at Asuka, Misato's words in his mind. Sohryu seems intent on watching the activation - or probably the guests observing the activation - and the possibility of her just up and leaving strikes Shinji as completely wrong.
He remembers the boxes and boxes of possessions Asuka had lugged with her when she had first moved in. The idea of moving all of those things out is painful. But not because of the effort involved, but because it would be moving out her things. It would be moving her out, somehow.. speeding it up, hurrying her away.
And it would be a lot of work, but that's an afterthought. Shinji spares a moment to wonder why the hell Asuka owns so much stuff.
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time leaving Tokyo-3 had been a possibility. But she had come back - turned on her heel at the airport gates, to hear Touji tell the tale - and then everything had been great. Actually, then had been the contact and everything that followed, and it had nearly killed them. But they hadn't know about that part until later.
But this wouldn't be like those times. This time it would be Eva that was forcing her away. It wouldn't be her choice to go or stay, but NERV's. And NERV has already made that choice.
Before, when Asuka had nearly left, there had always been a chance that Shinji might say something, do something that might make her stop. He hadn't said it, he hadn't done it, but he had some measure of influence. He had the ability to change what happened. But that isn't his anymore.
Or maybe..
His thought is cut short by Hyuga's voice.)
Hyuga: Unit Six is operational. No feedback errors, synch pattern.. minimal instability. Won't be a problem.
Yuri: Retracting umbilical bridge, releasing restraining clamps..
Shinji: Lyn, how are you doing in there?
Lyn: (radio) Seems fine. (pause) Thanks for asking.
Shinji: Uh - no problem.
(When Evangelion Unit 06 is finally freed from its restraints, it stands motionless for a moment - a giant statue, as solid and immovable as it had been while immersed in coolant.
Then it advances, its massive shoulders shifting with its balance, stepping out of its cage. Anouilh has clearly been briefed - each step is cautiously light, in case the concussive sound of Unit 06's feet against the chamber floor might harm the relatively unshielded observers on the walkway.
As the monster approaches the walkway, the observers shuffle back as a group; Shinji can easily understand why. Although he has always been aware of how huge the Evangelions are, he has only very rarely seen one in comparison to a human being - and then, he was usually within the Eva while he made that comparison.
But he has not seen what these people must be seeing now - over thirteen stories of armored thing, with enough weight to crush a building, standing almost on top of them.)
Misato: Careful, Lyn. Watch your umbilical.
Asuka: (low, to Shinji) Don't want a re-run of that famous fall..
Misato: Quiet, Asuka.
(Unit 06 moves carefully through the chamber. It raises its arms and turns; the sound of rushing air forced aside by the massive creature is fed from the chamber through the speakers. The observers in the chamber are clearly transfixed by the creature, watching its every move.)
Shinji: Misato, are we done here?
Misato: Huh? Oh yeah, you and Asuka can go home.
Asuka: (quick) Great, I'm gone - 'bye. (leaves)
Shinji: (to Misato) I'll see you later. You'll be getting home..?
Misato: Later. Maybe after ten I'm guessing.
--------------------------------------------------
Fuyutsuki: I won't ask how you got in here.
(The door to Commander Ikari's office closes as Fuyutsuki begins to the walk to the distant desk in the center of the chamber. Far away from the table, where the lighting is dim, Aoi watches him.)
Aoi: I was hoping that Kihl might turn up for this little get-together, and give his blessing.
Fuyutsuki: He's not sure how serious we are. And he probably doesn't want to risk coming too close.
Aoi: And if NERV security simply shot him, it would be rather an anti-climax.. But would you give the order?
Fuyutsuki: You're asking if I would sanction murder?
Aoi: He is the leader of your adversary. If you could weaken the enemy through a single dirty deed..?
(The old man reaches the table, and immediately activates the built-in computer terminal. The most recent reports load up onto the screen.)
Aoi: Though I admit that killing him isn't going to make MARI any less of a threat..
Fuyutsuki: He didn't turn up, so it's a useless point. (reading) I see.
Aoi: You see what?
Fuyutsuki: The security teams meant to be guarding you report that once again you did not leave your home.
Aoi: You can't blame them for a little mistake.
Fuyutsuki: I was hoping that you would at least take up the appearance of being a normal girl, if nothing else than to help remove suspicion. School, regular daily activities.. Speaking of your school.. (clicking through files) Major Katsuragi had a fairly straightforward way of dealing with grades for the First Child, I imagine that we can do the same for you..
Aoi: Don't worry, Aoi Tamashii will be playing the normal little girl again soon. Although, with the school break here it'll be some time before anyone gets a chance to miss me..
Fuyutsuki: And what about your capacity as the Seventh Child?
Aoi: Is that a question or a joke? I had thought you wouldn't want me anywhere near the Evas..
Fuyutsuki: Maybe, but the people here believe you are a pilot - or at least a backup. And of course, unless you're going to remove the young Mister Anouilh from your life, there will be at least one person who'll miss you.
(Fuyutsuki is surprised to see a look of outrage briefly appear on the young woman's face. But he misjudges the cause of her anger.)
Fuyutsuki: (explaining) For the time they could follow you, the security teams made records of your acquaintances. And then there's your friends - I believe that most people your age try to have social lives, and I can't see how Aoi Tamashii is any different.
Aoi: (annoyed) I get your point.
Fuyutsuki: Maybe you don't.
(Aoi turns sharply the face the old man; Fuyutsuki, meanwhile, continues watching the screen of the terminal before him.)
Fuyutsuki: The boy has undergone a series of tremendous shocks. Just forgetting your abduction of him, he has discovered that his father is dead, and Okazaki - a woman who he lived with a presumably had some feelings for - on the verge of death. And you are more than partly responsible for that.
Aoi: You don't have to worry about Seyoko Okazaki - and SEELE are responsible for that, not me.
(The Commander lets the reference to the woman - the spy - pass, but makes a mental note to check later.)
Fuyutsuki: SEELE didn't steal the Sixth Child - you did.
Aoi: (pausing) If I hadn't, you would have tried putting him in Unit Two. She would have killed him.
Fuyutsuki: I see.
Aoi: I'm sure you do.
--------------------------------------------------
Shinji: Well, that's over.
Asuka: Yeah.
(As the evening darkens into night we find the two pilots stand just outside one of the many armored exits of the Geo-Front. They no longer wear their uniforms, but plain clothes from their lockers - relatively easy wear after the black-and-red outfits. Having left NERV, the next order of business should be catching a bus home.
Should be.)
Asuka: I guess we go home.
Shinji: I guess.
(Their stilted conversation is jarred slightly by Asuka.)
Asuka: I was so glad to be able to get out of that uniform. I know Misato tried to get my size, but it's more than just a number, know what I mean? No, forget I said anything.
Shinji: Actually I rather liked the uniforms.
Asuka: You mean uniform, right, just one? Yours?
Shinji: Well, you looked nice.
Asuka: Looked, maybe, but after a few hours in it the stupid thing didn't fit where is should have.. (turning) Hey, is that..
Shinji: (turning) Tenkei?
(Shinji is surprised, if not shocked - the boy is standing barely two meters from them, and neither picked up his approach. He amends the thought; he hadn't even seen the boy standing there when they left the Geo-Front. Ikari knows the boy had been there, but it had simply failed to register until - )
Tenkei: I want to speak to you.
Asuka: To me?
Tenkei: (shaking head) Shinji.
(Tenkei takes Shinji's hand and insistently leads him away. The Third Child speaks over his shoulder as he goes.)
Shinji: Uh, I'll try to catch up..
(The pilot of Unit 02 watches him leave, her fists on her hips.)
Asuka: Right.
--------------------------------------------------
Tenkei: Rei's scared.
Shinji: Rei? She said she wasn't your mother anymore..
Tenkei: (quietly) She doesn't know what she is anymore. She's afraid of losing what she is.
Shinji: What? What do you mean?
(Tenkei struggles with the words. To simply reach into his mind and tell him would be so much easier - but that same thing had all but destroyed him before. So he is left with clumsy, difficult words as his only tool to get this difficult concept across..)
Tenkei: She is Rei, because people see her as Rei. Because you see her as Rei.
Shinji: (frowning) What?
(He wants to scream it out but it wouldn't make any sense - just like he isn't making any sense to Shinji now.)
Tenkei: But you didn't, once. For a little while, you knew she wasn't Rei - you knew about the others, didn't you?
(He sees a flicker in the Third Child's face, a moment of flashing memory. Tenkei feels it pass through the young man, the memory..
Rei. So many, turning to face him as he utters her name. Suspended in yellow fluid. LCL?
The vision disappears, but confirms something of what Tenkei had suspected.)
Tenkei: You knew about them. Did you see her die? You must have known.
Shinji: (slowly) I.. knew.
(He's afraid now - Tenkei can feel Shinji's fear. The Third Child doesn't want it all to come up again. He's made peace with his fears, he has a concrete idea of who Rei is. He doesn't want it questioned again. He's comfortable with it, accepting it.)
Tenkei: She was so afraid of people finding out - because it would mean she wasn't her, that someone else might be.
Shinji: That doesn't make any sense-
Tenkei: (interrupting) You thought she was just a copy. You were afraid of her.
Shinji: But that's because.. she died and..
Tenkei: That is part of it. If people knew, they wouldn't see her the same way. She wouldn't be the same way.
(Shinji takes a step back from Tenkei.)
Shinji: But.. why? Why are you talking to me about this now?
Tenkei: She's afraid, because there's another one of her - that I know about.
Shinji: Wha - another?
(Another memory - this one stronger than the last, more lasting, more painful. They sob as their bodies break apart. Tenkei's eyes widen.)
Shinji: Another? Where? How?
(They were destroyed. All of them. They were destroyed. All except..)
Shinji: Another Rei?
(Tenkei blinks tears out of his eyes. They all could have been. All of them. They had been just like he had been, before Rei had awakened him. Just like the other had been, before Tenkei had awakened her. Just like Rei had been, before they saw fit to separate her from the others.)
Tenkei: The Eva that was sent to attack us. The men who made it, they were going to use someone to make it work, someone like Rei.
(More thoughts flicker through Shinji's mind, and Tenkei touches the edges of them. The cores of the dummy plug. The woman, Doctor Akagi, had told Shinji this. The dummy plug was the control device. Another piece falls into place in Tenkei's mind. Shinji knows so much!)
Tenkei: But when she woke up, it wouldn't work like that anymore. She's okay, but far away. With the men who made it.
Shinji: There's another Rei, and she's awake?
Tenkei: Not Rei. That's what scares her - that she might take that away from her.
Shinji: ..
Tenkei: But yes.. and she's over there, with those people. She doesn't know anyone around her. And she doesn't know her real name.
(Shinji frowns again, but this time it is not in confusion. He takes his time asking the next question.)
Shinji: She's with the people who sent that Evangelion here? The one that attacked us?
Tenkei: (nodding) ...
Shinji: And you know where she is?
Tenkei: Yes.
Shinji: Could you find her?
--------------------------------------------------
(Without Misato to drive them home, Asuka and Shinji had been going to catch a bus - of course, now it's just Asuka standing under the light of the bus stop.
Her mobile phone rings. Fishing it out of her pocket, the Second Child answers.)
Asuka: Yep?
Shinji: (phone) Asuka, sorry but I can't go home. I'm heading back into NERV.
Asuka: What? Why?
Shinji: (phone) I've got to talk to Misato about something. It's important. Actually, you might want to come back as well.
(Asuka shuts her eyes, considering.)
Asuka: You know, I'm just gonna catch the bus. I've been waiting to get home for ages. You can tell me about it when you get back.
Shinji: Asuka, this is really important. I mean it.
Asuka: (flatly) Tenkei have some news about Rei, huh?
Shinji: (phone) Huh? Why do you say that?
Asuka: (sighs) Because everything's about Rei.
Shinji: (phone) That's not what I'm talking about.
Asuka: Then what?
Shinji: This..
Asuka: ..
Shinji: I'll tell you when I get home.
Asuka: (grumbling) If I'm awake.
(She hangs up.)
--------------------------------------------------
(Shinji slips his mobile phone back into his pocket with a sigh. He should have expected that from Asuka. He should probably have told her more. But maybe..)
Tenkei: I know what you're thinking of doing.
Shinji: ..?
Tenkei: Going there.
(Shinji nods slowly - this hadn't been what Tenkei had wanted. As he speaks, he pulls his security card out and runs it through the door slot. The mechanical systems whir into operation.)
Shinji: Are you okay with it?
Tenkei: If you'll try to reach her.
Shinji: ..?
Tenkei: She's in the same place Rei used to be - not sure, not her. Rei came out of it because of you.
-(flashback)- Shinji presses his hand down on the wound as Rei smiles up at him.
Tenkei: I want you to do the same for her. The other.
(And the Third Child leads Tenkei back into the entrance, back towards NERV headquarters.)
Shinji: I guess.. she at least deserves the same chance Rei did.
Tenkei: (smiling) You understand.
--------------------------------------------------
(Major Arnold Hayridge strides down the infirmary corridor, running through the facts in his mind.
She is a spy. Or she was a spy, at least. The Japanese government had posted her within UNSynaps to keep tabs on the organization's director. Things had gone badly for the agent; her mission was compromised when Kimio, a man whom Hayridge knew only as one of SEELE's twelve, quietly informed Anouilh as to who and what Okazaki was.
They had palmed-off their "problem" to NERV, not knowing that Kimio had his own motives in sending her to Japan. But despite how she had been used, she is still a spy. But nowadays, the Japanese government is far from a hostile enemy.
Jean-Phillip Anouilh died only a few minutes journey from the safety of Tokyo-3, burning in his defenseless transport craft from MARI's attack. The Japanese government quickly became certain of one thing - no matter how suspicious NERV's activities are, they are saints compared to whoever was controlling MARI to that level of brutal slaughter.
And with NERV's Evangelions on their own soil, the Japanese government is very happy with their situation. Unlike every other nation that is clamoring for protection, Japan already has a tried and tested defense force of Evangelions operating from within their borders, ready to fight. In short, the government was happy to climb into bed with NERV.
This changes Seyoko Okazaki from a spy to a hero. But to Hayridge, she has a very different qualifier.
She had been shot in the field while investigating the background of one Aoi Tamashii - the pawn that SEELE had waved at UNSynaps to reassure them, their creation that had so obviously gone beyond their control. Okazaki's investigations, done by her own initiative rather than on orders, were exactly the actions that Hayridge would have taken in her place. In that, he had found a way to respect her.
That - and the investigative reports. Bleeding, alone, and against two trained killers, she had taken them both out with only a pistol. That was enough to give Hayridge pause.)
Arnold: (muttering) Check out Okazaki, check out Okazaki..
(That was what Fuyutsuki had said. He hadn't fully explained his suspicions, whatever they were, but they had something to do with something that Tamashii had said. Hayridge is naturally cautious about anything regarding the Seventh Child - the girl had reportedly made a room of fully-armed soldiers look as helpless as kittens, and that's enough to make Hayridge more than just pause.)
Arnold: (muttering) Something she said.. about Okazaki..
(And he stops. He looks at the empty bed. He checks that this is the correct ward, the correct bed. Yes, all correct.
He turns and waves at a passing intern, and risks a phrase in Japanese.)
Arnold: Can you explain this?
--------------------------------------------------
Misato: Are you sure about this?
Tenkei: (nodding) ...
Maya: Tenkei, you have to understand.. this won't be a rescue operation. We can't promise that she won't be hurt, even killed.
Tenkei: I know, but maybe she'll..
(The boy clamps his mouth shut, his eyes dropping.)
Tenkei: I mean.. I still want to do this.
Misato: Alright. So we know about you. The question now is why are you here?
(Her attention settles on the only other person present. Shinji Ikari hasn't seen Misato and Maya this serious before - not except for the briefings before being sent to face the enemy. But there is no Angel over Tokyo-3, although there may be a battle in the near future..)
Shinji: I don't.. really think that's a question.
Misato: Maya, can Shinji and I talk for a minute?
(Wordlessly Maya rises from her chair, taking Tenkei's hand as she heads for the door. This leaves the Third Child alone in the room with the Major.)
Shinji: If this is about that Rei, I think I know how I can fix that. We've done exercises -
Misato: (interrupting) Tell me why you're here.
Shinji: Misato, I don't see how there's anything to really explain.. I'm an Eva pilot. I have to do this.
(Misato's dark eyes regard the young man calmly.)
Misato: Nearly two years ago you told me the same thing. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.
Shinji: ..
Misato: Do you know what you've just done? You walked in here and told us to use Tenkei. You want us to use him to find our enemy.
Shinji: (looking down) Well, I guess "use" isn't what I meant..
Misato: (interrupting) I'm not accusing you of anything, so relax. I just want to know why you decided to come to me with this.
Shinji: I don't know. It's strange..
(He rests his hands across his knees as he gazes downwards. The fingers of his right hand close into a loose fist.)
Shinji: I should have been thinking about Rei. When he told me about it, the first thing I remembered is what Ritsuko showed me - showed us.
(Misato had been there when Akagi had pressed the button - destroyed them, dissolved them, removed them from the world. If what Tenkei is saying is true, then it was more than murder.)
Shinji: You saw them.. what they had been doing with Rei, down there. I guess the first thing I should have thought about was Rei. But I didn't. It's strange, but I just started thinking about what I could do.
Shinji: When you told me about.. Asuka going to Germany, I thought, for a moment, that maybe there was something I could do.
Shinji: I've read the reports about the last attack - that this MARI thing attacked the power grid first. And in Europe, they had people on the ground attacking too, soldiers with guns. This isn't the same as an Angel, this is worse. They'll do things that an Angel can't do. An Angel can't send killers to murder pilots. These people can. These people will!
Misato: You think that I'm not scared of something happening to Asuka? We have the best operatives in the world here in Tokyo-3, and Asuka's going to get all the support we can give her!
Shinji: I know that Misato, but.. there's so much that could happen. And whatever you do, she's always going to be more vulnerable over there because she'll be alone when they attack. You once said that if we could find where the enemy are and attack them first, then we'd do it. Right? If we can attack them, stop them before they can do anything worse than what they've already done..
(As he continues, the Third Child's voice grows faster, energy jolting his words.)
Shinji: All those people at the conference - all those countries, all those cities, all those people! Even if we had (hesitating) fifty Evas, or a hundred Evas, and a hundred pilots, we still wouldn't be able to protect all of them! And each pilot would be in just as bad a place as Asuka is going to be in when she goes over to Germany.
Shinji: These people aren't Angels. They'll wait until an pilot is most vulnerable and then they'll attack. They won't attack unless they know that they'll win. They'll make us vulnerable, they'll sabotage us and send soldiers or bombs or things we can't expect or prepare for!
Shinji: Even with an army of Evas, we don't have a hope. But with one Eva, if we knew where they were coming from.. we could stop them.
(Shinji breaks off, out of breath. He shuffles back in his chair a little - having come close to standing during his tirade. Misato, still watching, speaks.)
Misato: I am the Head of Operations, Shinji. I already know all of this.
Shinji: (slumping) Then why don't you do something?
Misato: Who said I wasn't?
Shinji: (looking up) ..
Misato: Everything you said is absolutely true. We don't have a chance unless we attack them first.
Shinji: (speechless) ..
Misato: Intelligence has been working day and night to try to find these people, so we can do exactly that - strike them at their home base, take them out before they can launch more assaults like the attacks in France. Now, thanks to Tenkei, we might be able to do that.
Shinji: So..
Misato: If he can go half way, then we'll try to finish the job. It's as simple as that.
(Shinji almost laughs in relief, standing up for only a moment before he sits back down again, his face in his hands. All the energy and the fear and the certainty that had propelled him only a moment earlier is gone, replaced by sheer relief.)
Misato: We're not all bad guys, Shinji..
Shinji: I know..
--------------------------------------------------
(Tenkei holds to Maya's hand as the Lieutenant leads him back to her home. Ibuki is still wearing his red outfit from earlier in the evening, the outfit that she and Yuri had finally agreed upon at the end of the trial-by-shopping that Tenkei had endured the day before.
He knows she'll be there. Even as they enter the apartment block, he knows she's there.)
Tenkei: ..
(But the simple fact that he is aware of her means so much.)
-(flashback)- Rei: Not without my permission.
(She is no longer closed off from him. She had been furious when he had tried to look into her, tried to see the source of her fear more closely. Much of what he had been looking for he had found in Shinji, but this openness he suddenly feels in Rei lifts all troubles.
His steps quicken as they head for the elevator. Tenkei darts ahead and hits the call button for the elevator. Behind him Maya smiles, not knowing the source of his enthusiasm.
She's waiting for him and she's.. changed? Why isn't she afraid?
As the elevator carries them towards her, Tenkei feels that she knows he's arrived. He can feel Rei's anxiety, mirroring his own. She is nervous? There is still fear. She's still afraid. But there is something else. His mind questions, but he is still too far away..
The elevator doors take too long to open. Quickly he is out in the corridor, heading to where he knows she'll be. He slows his steps, not letting his enthusiasm take hold of him completely; he still has questions. When Maya, following, catches sight of Rei she almost stops, then remembers herself and nods a greeting.)
Maya: Rei - what are you doing here?
Rei: I am here to see Tenkei.
(She looks at him and lets him into her mind again.
Thoughts are pushed at him, things she wants him to see. Still afraid. Still the same fear. Still the same anger. That hasn't changed, and Tenkei feels disappointed. But there is something else.)
Rei: I want to be with you.
(The thoughts flicker between them in an instant, unheard by Maya.)
Tenkei: Even if you are afraid?
Rei: I want to be with you. Do you still want to be with me?
(He wants to wake up in her familiar room. He wants to watch her prepare for her day, her pale hands moving text books and note pads into her school bag. He wants to stare at her crimson eyes and wonder how she could ever hate that color. He wants to be with her.
The thoughts flicker between them in an instant.
Tenkei turns around as Rei speaks to Maya.)
Rei: Can he stay at my residence tonight?
Maya: Yeah, I guess.. Tenkei is this okay with -
Tenkei: Yes.
Maya: Well.. I'll call security and tell them about the switch.
Rei: (quietly) Thankyou.
(And they walk back down the corridor, towards the elevator. As Maya fishes her mobile phone out of her handbag, she hears a final word from Ayanami.)
Rei: Lieutenant?
Maya: (turning) ..
Rei: That color suits you.
Maya: (staring) ...!
--------------------------------------------------
Asuka: Will you be quiet? I'm trying to be angry with you.
(Bag of sweets, remote control, cola, sheets, pillow, mattress..
Asuka lies back in her "den"; that seems to be the best word for it. It appears that the Second Child has dragged everything soft and comfortable from her room - and a few things from Shinji's room too, from the look of it - and set the lot down in front the television, smack-bang in the middle of the living room.
To say that the Second Child has carried her bed out would be wrong. She has carried out parts of it, and dumped them. The natural order of mattress below sheets below blanket below pillow doesn't seem to have worked in this case. The new order is where ever Asuka's foot sends the various items. Sheet and blankets are twisted around in a snarl that almost seems like a cave, where most of Asuka is safely snuggled. The rest of her - everything above the waist - could probably retract into hiding as well, but right at this moment Asuka needs her arms free to gesture.)
Asuka: Yes, angry with you. You know why!
(Her hand dips into the bag beside her and pulls out a jelly snake which is aggressively decapitated between her teeth.)
Asuka: Yes you do. (chomps noisily) Why do you always have to be so difficult?
(Pen Pen would have no idea, if he had the first clue what Asuka was talking about. Which he does not.
The penguin sits on the couch a short distance away from the territory that Asuka presently possesses. He makes a poor substitute for Shinji Ikari. For one thing, Shinji would be paying attention to her, rather than predatorily watching the jellies that Asuka occasionally snatches from the plastic bag beside her. Pen Pen absolutely refuses to look cowed or beaten, another obvious discrepancy.)
Asuka: Yes Shinji, I'm doing nothing, just like I said I would. Any old slob can just do nothing.
(Pen Pen continues to watch the bag.)
Asuka: Anyone can just sit in front of the TV, lie in bed, or blob around. It takes more than that, however, to satisfy my requirements of nothing. I've got everything here, and I'm going to watch TV until I fall asleep. Which is nothing. I think I've earned -
Shinji: Asuka, what are you talking about?
(Asuka sits up, headless snake in one hand, sheets clutched suddenly in the other. The Third Child is standing over on the other side of the couch, looking at Sohryu's territory with a mystified expression.)
Asuka: (quickly) I.. didn't hear you come in.
(He turns quickly, stepping towards the hallway and his bedroom.)
Shinji: Sorry, I guess I should have knocked or something..
(Asuka flumps back in her pillows - "flump" is actually the closest word to what she does - her mouth firmly shut. Then she sits up again.)
Asuka: No, this is your home as much as anyone's! Why the hell should you have to knock?
Shinji: (aback) Well in case you're doing, whatever it was you were doing when I.. Asuka, what are you doing?
(All the practice, the simple, devastating answers that she had prepared, completely fail to work.)
Asuka: Nothing! I mean, I'm doing nothing. A real nothing.
Shinji: You've got half your bedroom out here, as well as.. hey, is that my pillow?
Asuka: I'm just doing nothing the right way, that's all. Anyone can do nothing, but I'm not just anyone..
Shinji: That is my pillow, isn't it?
Asuka: Stop being like that, I'm mad at you!
(Asuka winces inwardly. It was meant to be mean in a cute sort of way, an acceptable and completely forgivable way, but nothing is coming out how it's meant to.)
Shinji: Wha- what did I do?
Asuka: Just shut up. (pauses) So what was this vital stuff you had to do at NERV? A few of the delegates couldn't find their cars in the parking lot?
Shinji: No, nothing like that..
Asuka: Obviously.
(Shinji Ikari walks around the sofa, his socked feet - having removed his shoes at the door - carefully stepping around Asuka's den. Choosing a respectable and safe distance away from the Second Child, he lowers himself to his knees. Then he sits.
Looking over at Asuka staring at him, Shinji goes one step further and lies down.)
Shinji: There was something I decided to do. Rather than waiting for something to happen to me. I guess.
Asuka: ..
Shinji: (suddenly) Can I stay here?
(Asuka tilts her head, examining the Third Child, and quietly wondering what just clicked in Shinji's head.)
Asuka: Sure.
-------------------------------------------------
(The next morning..)
Lyn: (thinking) I can't seem to stay away from this place, can I..
(The thoughts of the Sixth Child are cut short by a voice from the room ahead.)
Arnold: What's this?
(It's Major Hayridge - who had given Anouilh that God-awful wakeup call and summons to the NERV infirmary. Arnold hasn't got a pleasant voice, and first thing in the morning it's distinctly less pleasant.)
Voice: A door.
(But that other voice..)
Arnold: This?
Voice: (pause) A jacket.
Arnold: And this?
Voice: That's a bunny.
(Lyn picks up his pace as he hears the voices from the next room. By the time he reaches the door, he's at a run.)
Arnold: You think that's a bunny?
Voice: There's ears at the top. Just move on to the next one.
(Lyn moves through the doorway and looks at the two people in the hospital room.
Major Hayridge is flicking through a stack of small cardboard squares, each marked with a black shape. Some have the regular, hard lines of printed images, while others are almost random blobs.
His "patient" shovels a spoonful of jelly into her mouth and swallows as she looks at the next image.)
Seyoko: That's a.. what's the word? A note, a music note.
Arnold: Close enough. (looks up) Good morning, Mr Anouilh.
(The Sixth Child finds himself staring at Seyoko Okazaki.)
Lyn: What ..
(She's awake. She's looking at him. She would probably be speaking, if she wasn't eating at that exact moment. She's awake.
The last time he had seen her, she had been on a respirator - breathing mechanically, unable to know he was there, unable to answer him. And now she's..)
Lyn: Seyoko - you're -
Seyoko: Awake? So they tell me. (looks over) A padlock. Hayridge, do I have to do all this item recognition stuff?
Arnold: Until I'm satisfied that you're competent.
Seyoko: Competent? Christ, I haven't even acceptooomph!
(Lyn has his arms around the bedridden woman and is hugging fiercely. Hayridge looks away politely as a slightly muffled Seyoko hugs back, laughing at the sudden display of emotion.
Anouilh, meanwhile, can't even laugh. His throat has closed up, choking him of the breath he'd need to speak or cry or shout with joy. She's awake. She's alive. She's laughing.
She's alive.
And for a second, the antiseptic smell of the hospital fades from Lyn's consciousness - it is the last thing he is aware of. The memories it brings are so distant compared to this woman - his friend, squirming in his arms.
Wait. Squirming.)
Seyoko: Woah, those are my ribs there!
Lyn: (letting go) Sorry, I guess I didn't think before, well..
Seyoko: (takes a breath) I was going to ask you if you'd missed me. (grinning) Guess I got my answer..
(The Sixth Child takes a step back from the bed, unwilling to move out of arms reach of Seyoko. Hayridge, who has been watching the scene in a slightly embarrassed silence, offers the chair next to him. Lyn chooses to sit on a spare patch of Seyoko's bed instead.)
Arnold: Hmm.
Lyn: Why wasn't I called? When did you wake up? How are you feeling?
Seyoko: Uh. What was the first one? I feel pretty good, considering that I've been out for weeks - so they tell me. And I guess it must be true, since that hole those bastards put through me has healed up nicely.
Arnold: "Nicely". That's one way to put it. I've just spent half an hour being told by a doctor why Okazaki's recovery was impossible.
Seyoko: Well, if it'll suit your idea of reality I can go drop off again. I could probably do with a few weeks sleep -
Lyn: When are you coming home? All your stuff is still there.. (to Arnold) She can go back to work, right? She's still got her job here?
Seyoko: Well, that all depends..
Arnold: Give her some time. Actually, I think you two probably have a lot to talk about.
(The Major stands, pushing his chair back up to rest against the wall. As he leaves the hospital room, he flashes a warning glance to Seyoko that Lyn - being too staring at Okazaki - doesn't spot.)
Lyn: Well?
Seyoko: Well what?
Lyn: Well, first I guess.. when can you come home?
Seyoko: Depends on what the doctors say - and they've been talking crap mostly. Most of the time they treat me like a complete invalid. (nods her head to one side) Take a peek at that thing over there.
(Lyn looks over at what Seyoko indicates - a wheeled frame, presumably meant to assist someone with walking.)
Seyoko: I don't need it to walk, I can do just fine. But I don't want to walk too far with this stuff poking into me.
(She raises one arm, pointing out the bandage-bound tube and needle that feeds into her flesh.)
Seyoko: This is my breakfast. And lunch, and dinner. They say my stomach won't be used to solid foods - or any food, really - for days, but I'm absolutely starving. The best they'll let me get my hands on is this jelly, which isn't much.
(Demonstrating, she shovels another mouthful of the green goo into her mouth.)
Seyoko: (around jelly) I've got to get out of this place. (swallows) What's with the expression?
(He shakes his head slowly, staring at her.)
Lyn: You're okay. I can't believe it. It's too..
Seyoko: .. too good to be true? Tell me about it! I have my suspicions..
Lyn: What do you mean?
Seyoko: (swallows another spoonful) I think that a divine power has brought me back to this world to remind you of your singing.
(The Sixth Child laughs, leaning forward.)
Lyn: (catching his breath) For a second you were going to say something deep and meaningful.
(Seyoko shares his laugh, reaching out for the young man's head - possibly to touch his face or ruffle his hair - but winces as the action pulls on the cord feeding into her arm.)
Lyn: I guess you must really be hating this, huh Seyoko?
Seyoko: ..?
Lyn: This place. (looks around) The hospital. You seem so eager to get out..
Seyoko: It's got nothing to do with liking or whatever, Lyn. I feel fine. Well, not exactly. I want a real shower - a real one, in my own bathroom, with my own soap and shampoo and an hour to myself, alone, not just behind a curtain with a nurse..
Lyn: Well, you do look.. pretty okay.
(As he says it, he realizes how much of an understatement it is. When he had last seen her, he had been unwilling to look at her face - seeing her with a respiration tube lodged in her throat had forced him to look away. But those times he had been able to bear looking at her, she had been pale and worn, as fragile as thin glass. But now she is far from it - healthy, almost pink, eager to smile and laugh. Her arms had been quick when she had hugged him, her voice strong and clear as she speaks.)
Seyoko: (settling herself back) So, how's Aoi?
(Lyn almost flinches. Some of the warmth of Seyoko's return fades as an uncomfortable topic is raised.)
Lyn: I'm not really sure.
Seyoko: Really? She was practically glued to your arm, last time I saw her..
Lyn: ..
Seyoko: I'm sorry. I'm being.. dishonest, I guess. I've been told some things about what's happening with Aoi..
Lyn: ..
Seyoko: And I found out a few things on my own.
(Lyn nods glumly - this is going to come out, he knows it. His own thoughts on it have been muddled, half-suspicions and half-paranoid fears, but none of it good.)
Lyn: You were investigating. You were looking at her background, weren't you?
Seyoko: Yeah. I'm sorry if -
Lyn: (interrupting) Thanks. Don't apologize, please.. just - thanks - for caring.
Seyoko: Well, I.. okay. You're welcome.
Lyn: I'm almost afraid to ask, but.. what did you find?
Seyoko: You mean about Aoi?
Lyn: Someone shot you for what you were you doing. I was told a few things myself, you know.
Seyoko: I know. What you're asking is.. pretty bad. Are you sure you're ready?
Lyn: ..
Seyoko: She's your friend - was your friend, anyway - and.. as weird as this sounds, I don't think she's a risk to you. What I found out doesn't say she wants to hurt you; nothing like that at all.
Lyn: Just tell me.
Seyoko: Lyn, just a minute. You don't need to know - in fact, you'd probably be happier not knowing. And so would she. You do have a right to hear it - you of all people should, I guess - but.. maybe this isn't something I should tell you. I guess what I'm asking is.. are you sure you won't regret it later if I tell you?
-------------------------------------------------
(Asuka Langley Sohryu's mind rises out of her doze. Several things become apparent to her.
Firstly, the constant background noise of the television on low volume - she had left it on the previous night, with Shinji - is gone. Instead, she can faintly hear traffic through the open balcony door.
Secondly, the light coming through the windows and the balcony is bright, too bright. The living room isn't suited for sleeping in, and the morning sunlight is striking her in an unpleasantly warm way.
Thirdly, someone is cooking. There's definitely a cooking smell in the air, possibly frying. Asuka decides that it must be Shinji cooking - Misato's cooking skills rarely leave the microwave, and when they do she doesn't produce the smell of frying, but the reek of burning.
And fourthly, the lump over on her left hand side, where a lump called Shinji Ikari had slept, is now gone. An absent kick confirms this - no Shinji.
Asuka lifts her head, looking around.)
Shinji: Morning. Breakfast is almost done..
(The Second Child sits up, looking over to where Shinji is busy in the kitchen cubicle. Shortly he comes over with a plate and cutlery. Asuka accepts the offered breakfast, deeply inhaling the warm smells.)
Asuka: Mmm, smells.. hey, how did you know I was going to wake up exactly then?
Shinji: (shrugging) I didn't, that was going to be my breakfast.
(She freezes with her a morsel of meat on the way to her mouth.)
Asuka: (groaning) And I was feeling good for a minute..
Shinji: It's no bother, really. It'll take me just a few minutes to cook up some more..
Asuka: That has nothing to do with it.
(Despite any objections she might have Asuka begins eating her breakfast, formerly Shinji's breakfast. She speaks between mouthfuls.)
Asuka: (munching) I just hope you're not making too much out of this. I mean, it's not like we slept together..
Shinji: (cooking) Asuka, I like making breakfast. It's not like I'm making you breakfast.
Asuka: (munching) ..
Shinji: (cooking) ..
Asuka: Are you making fun of me?
Shinji: No! Besides, nothing happened, right? So it doesn't matter.
Asuka: Of course not.
Shinji: It was like you said, doing nothing.
Asuka: We could almost make a habit of it.
Shinji: Easily. Any night of the week, really.
Asuka: Nothing simpler, and we wouldn't have to do anything.
Shinji: There'd be no problem.
Asuka: Even if your feet are adventurous.
(That stops Shinji in his tracks; which is a pity, because he was having fun.)
Shinji: Adventurous? My feet?
Asuka: (smiling to herself) Very adventurous.
(Shinji continues to cook, but with a very worried expression.)
Shinji: What do you mean, adventurous?
Asuka: I don't mean anything by it.
Shinji: No - I'm pretty sure you meant something by it.
Asuka: You're imagining things, Shinji.
Shinji: You wouldn't just go and say something like that without meaning something.
Asuka: Are you implying that I am incapable of saying things without an ulterior motive??
Shinji: I have to imply it???
Asuka: Geeez! The way some people are.. (looks up) 'morning Misato!
(Misato Katsuragi enters the living room, stretching, and is given a plate of fried breakfast by a still-worried Shinji. As the Third Child goes about cooking up a third meal, this one hopefully for himself, Misato adds a can of beer to her breakfast and sits at the table.)
Misato: 'Morning Asuka, 'morning Shinji. (cracks beer) Am I interrupting anything?
Asuka: Just Shinji's feet, boldly going where no man has gone before..
(Shinji takes a second to decode this while Misato frowns.)
Asuka: Shinji, are you blushing?
Shinji: No.. Misato, I was wondering if we could arrange a party or something here some time in the next week..?
Misato: I think we should be able to handle that. What's the occasion? End of school?
(Shinji catches the look from Misato; he doesn't have to tell her it's about Asuka.)
Shinji: Yeah. And it would be nice to get everyone together.
Asuka: (surprised) Shinji, that's actually a pretty good idea.
Misato: Maybe you could all catch a movie while you're at it.
Shinji: I think we could probably manage that.
Asuka: Hikari is obviously coming, no question, and I imagine that you'll insist on inviting the stooges..
Misato: But I'm not leaving this time, no matter what you say - I'm going to be there!
Shinji: Sure thing Misato!
Asuka: With everyone there, we could celebrate my departure to Germany!
(The enthusiasm in the room dies.)
Shinji: Oh.
Misato: Er.
Asuka: Three cheers and Asuka goes! Whooopeeee!!!!
(Asuka throws her hands up in the air, and her feet quickly follow. She kicks in a painfully fake display of excitement.)
Shinji: Asuka, please don't..
Misato (flat) Who told you?
(Sohryu speaks from her buglike position on the mattress.)
Asuka: Commander Fuyutsuki. Last night, at the dinner.
Shinji: (confused) But.. you didn't say anything..
Asuka: What, you didn't think they'd tell me? Huh?
Misato: Asuka, it must be clear why we didn't tell you right away..
Asuka: Then clarify it, please.
Shinji: We didn't want it hanging over your head. We didn't want you constantly thinking about it.
Asuka: (sarcastic) Good idea - I might have done something stupid like sleep with Shinji.
(As Misato looks enquiringly at the Third Child. As Shinji attempts to hide in his chest, Asuka stands up to take center stage.)
Asuka: It would have been horrible! The Second Child, distraught from the thought of leaving, wilts and weakens!
(She theatrically stumbles across the living room towards Shinji. The Third Child is bright enough to move away from the stove and anything hot, sharp or otherwise dangerous.)
Asuka: With no one else to turn to, she falls into the arms of Shinji Ikari!
(And Asuka does so, much to Misato's surprise and Shinji's extreme discomfort. The boy finds his hands on Asuka's back; he stops himself from patting in the helplessly useless manner that he knows will simply spur Asuka on.)
Asuka: And selfless Shinji finds a way to hate himself for what he feels, and then -
(As Asuka draws breath for another theatrical display, Misato intervenes with a voice that's hard and sharp.)
Misato: Asuka! Shut up if you're not going to say anything helpful!
(Asuka turns, almost shocked by the command, but is held back by Shinji who hasn't yet let go of her.)
Asuka: I think I've got a bit of a right to bitch about this, it's my life that's being screwed!
Shinji: (softly) I don't want you to go.
(Asuka's grabs at Shinji's hands, which still hold her around the waist. Caught from both sides - from Misato and from Shinji - Asuka's only alternative is even louder melodramatics.)
Asuka: My life, and I think that -
(And she is cut off by that soft voice again.)
Shinji: I don't want you to go, you hear me?
Misato: He's right, Asuka. Neither of us want you to go.
(With a last attempt at fake rage, Asuka gives in. She slumps backwards, her weight pushing Shinji back against the counter top. Her hands rest on Shinji's where they are clasped around her waist - she doesn't try to pry his fingers open, she simply rests her hands on his.)
Asuka: I understand why. I understand why someone has to go, and why me, and everything..
Misato: Asuka..
Asuka: Since I trained there, I know everything about the base.. I can scramble from my quarters to my Eva in under two minutes! Meanwhile Shinji here would get lost between his bed and his pants!
(She jerks her head towards the boy behind her, nearly headbutting him. Shinji doesn't respond, except by slightly tightening his hold around her. He cranes his head forward to watch her, his chin on her shoulder.)
Misato: We don't want to do this, Asuka. But there aren't any alternatives.. yet..
Asuka: I know, I know, all these government types wanting NERV to play babysitter in their home town, which makes me the (breaks off) Hang on, you said "yet".
Misato: We're working on something.
Asuka: You mean.. there's a chance I won't have to go?
(Shinji just picks up on the shift in her voice - a slight tremble that surprises him, shocks him. So much so that he doesn't pick up on the smoke wafting up from the frying pan.)
Misato: I wouldn't bet on that.. can you two stop that?
Asuka: Stop what?
Misato: That hugging. It's making me nervous.
Shinji: (letting go) Sorry.
Asuka: Your breakfast is burning, pervert.
(As Shinji hurriedly attends to the smoldering efforts of his cooking, Misato continues.)
Misato: Anyway Asuka, I wouldn't bet on it. If you do go to Germany, I can't see any way to justify bringing you back later. We'd have to produce more Evas, and train the pilots to the point that they're battle ready.. that will take time.
Asuka: So if I go, it's for a long tour of duty?
Misato: 'fraid so.
Asuka: Crap.
(Sohryu turns to Shinji, who is busy scooping up his smoking breakfast out of the frying pan and dumping it on a plate. The blackened mess is still edible, though disgusting and tasteless. But Shinji isn't going to waste it. He sighs, picks up the plate and heads for the table - and loses the plate to Asuka's swift hands. Snatching the mess away, she dumps it in the bin.)
Asuka: Sit down, I'll cook for once.
Shinji: Uh.. okay.
Misato: (patting chair) ..
(Shinji goes to sit down as Asuka surveys the kitchen, looking at what she has to work with.)
Asuka: Well Shinji, looks like you'll be free of me at last.
Shinji: Don't say that - and what about that party?
Misato: Sure, the place is yours.
Shinji: Asuka? Are you okay with this?
(The Second Child cracks an egg open and spills the contents into the frypan. She looks at Shinji and grins.)
Asuka: Yeah, I'm for it.
Shinji: ...
Asuka: Sunny side up, right?
(Shinji is somehow not surprised she knows his preference.)
--------------------------------------------------
(The residents of the Katsuragi household have awoken late compared to others. By the time Shinji and Asuka were taking turns burning breakfast, Kensuke Aida had been up for hours. As the sun climbs towards its peak, the boy has already gathered Touji and Goro together - oddly enough, at the gates of the high school.)
Goro: This sucks. We're on holidays and we go straight back to the school.
Touji: If ya know a closer place with a basketball court, say something now.
Goro: Yeah, I know..
(The court has been left open to the public during the holidays, albeit with a security camera overlooking the area. Goro and Touji take turns shooting from the free-throw line, while Kensuke sits out of the sun, sheltered in the long shadow formed by the backboard.)
Touji: Hey Kensuke, take a shot or two?
(Aida closely watches the digital display of his camera, moving back and forth through his recorded footage.)
Kensuke: In a minute.
(Touji turns and passes the ball to Goro, who promptly bounces it off the rim.)
Goro: Dammit. By the way, Shinji's got a girlfriend or something.
Touji: What? A girlfriend?
Kensuke: (watching camera display) Oh yeah. We saw her yesterday. Shinji said he was having dinner with her.
Touji: A girlfriend? Shinji?
Goro: Yeah, some babe that works with him.
Touji: More of a babe than Misato?
(Kensuke and Goro both consider this unanswerable question.)
Kensuke: Uh. Hard to say.
Goro: She doesn't dress the same way as Misato, that's for sure..
Touji: A girlfriend. Shinji. (shakes head) Weird.
--------------------------------------------------
(And the day slowly wears on. Touji and Goro finally get Kensuke to play ball. At midday, Lyn Anouilh looks at his home and realises that he'll have to clean it before Seyoko gets back. One o'clock passes while Asuka and Shinji argue over what they'll do for the party. Two o'clock finds Rei and Tenkei in the park, not on the swings but watching people pass, watching people live. Three o'clock, and Maya Ibuki picks up her new red dress from the laundry and wonders when she'll ever wear it again.
And at four in the afternoon, one of the pilot-assigned security teams finally acquires their subject.)
Agent: She's moving. Front entrance, heading westwards on foot.
(Aoi Tamashii has emerged from her apartment, but this time in plain sight, for all to see.)
TO BE CONTINUED...