The lake and all that harvests had fascinated Kaworu; after a long day he decided to waddle to the outer edges of this alien territory to him. Wearing only a pair of boxers, his legs were ankle deep and slowly swallow them up to his knees. It felt like LCL, but it lacked the scent of his own blood; it smelled pure and innocent to him. It had life to it as well. Small tiny fry, just recently born, swam in fear from the giant's feet. A turtle was soon spooked as Kaworu continue to move in about. Over head of him a flock of seagulls laugh madly as they fly all over their dying domain. Kaworu just stood there and watched; he knew very well that he was their enemy and it wouldn't be long before one of them, that is the human species, will kill him. After all, he was sent for a mission that surely Nerv, the place where he would soon be going to quack like a pilot, would not be happy with Seele. But for the time being, he may as well enjoy the things this world has offered. While he lived in a life of luxury and freedom, there were still some things he hadn't yet seen. Like a wandering pioneer who seeks out for discoveries, he wanted to make his own discoveries. Perhaps this is why he didn't mind doing this mission. While inquiring information that was needed for Seele, he would also inquired things for himself such as the human psychology and their complex behaviors and other trivial along the way for him.
Especially the son of Nerv Commander Ikari and the First Child that he heard about; what can make these two children so important he pondered. He has yet to meet the First Child and Shinji didn't seem to strike him to be a threat to their goals. He would make an interesting sample to pick into the diverse, and complex, cultural mind of this deadly animal that they called themselves "Human". As for the other children he hangs out with, they could also be worth the trouble. The more he knows, the better he can truly understand these people and completing the goal. He was fortunate that this coming week he will be interacting with one of Shinji's friends.
"Mari Illustrious Makinami." He rolled her name under his breath. He continued saying her name over and over while waddling back and forth in the lake; she doesn't seem to be crude as Toji or as annoying as Asuka and Kensuke. Her teal eyes really had caught his attention as he never had seen eyes so light; the color of this lake. "I wonder if I can just rely on her instead. Let others do the dirty work for you." Though he was a bit concern when Mari paused for a moment when they greeted but he did he keep his cool and nothing of the odd happen thankfully. He smiled to himself and started to hum his favorite tune: "Ode to Joy". He stood and looked into his own reflection and gazed at himself. It would be a sin if everyone knew who he really was. And that he laughed aloud scarring all the marsh birds out.
But as he as stared into his reflection, he also realized that there are more things that he need to inquire about. Information that was only for himself and not Seele. He still couldn't grasp around the stupidity of the Humans, to go through this sucidial attempt to be a higher form of life. Is there any limit to this madness? How long will it be before it was too late for them to realized their mistake. And most of all, what had Seele had in store with him once he was done with the mission? And he didn't trust Azrael for that manner either; not that will be a huge problem. It would be foolish for Azrael to lose his temper and kill Kaworu on spot as Seele would not go for that. But Kaworu had remembered the grizzly actions that Azrael had committed in the past. For a person like him who is usually indifferent of things getting killed, it just makes Kaworu squirmed with disqust every time. He hated it as much as the human hatred. For now the best thing Azrael can do is stay out of his way as it may cause some suspision and problems down the road. The sun was setting and was time to move on.
As he climbed out of the lake and dried himself off, Kaworu observed the sunset. It was redder than his own eyes, but not as such as the blood that runs in all the river valleys that was within him and everyone else. He brushed his hair and noticed he was being watched. Thankfully it was the same ghostly raven, still watching out for him in spite. Kaworu replied the stare with his trademark look. The bird flew off again into the distance warning his fellow ravens that there was danger in their homeland.
Friday night at the Misato residence was no exception to the same craziness that the three children under its mercy. For once Shinji didn't have to cook as they had ordered Popeye's chicken from across the street, but that still didn't change the fact that Misato was in her skimpy clothes and getting drunk; a bold penguin attacking the table; Asuka complaining as usual; Shinji being the joke of everything. And Mari doing something utterly random every once in a while. They were finishing up their meal when Misato giggled with great excitement.
"Hey guys," Misato said while all flustered. Her cheeks were red and the hue was as soft as cotton candy. "I got some news that you may like!" She threw the can in joy and squealed in delight. "Rei will be coming back tomorrow!" All the children were happy to hear, even Asuka though she bluffed it off.
"Finally! Not that I miss her or anything." Asuka said while keeping a straight face.
"Is she alright?" Shinji asked. For once in a long time he felt truly happy as his eyes and mouth widen as a kid excited to see Santa Claus. His three female companions were happy for him. Misato nodded to his question.
"Yep she is fine and will be back on pilot duty." Mari turned her head to face Shinji and was smiling.
"Told you everything will be fine Pup! Right Misato?" She said. Mari faced her guardian and Misato nodded again and was excited to tell them more news.
"In addition, the Sixth Child will be arriving too!" She exclaimed.
"What?" The three kids went in shock. Nerv must want the war with the Angels to be over soon.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Shinji asked.
"I hope it's a boy! And I hope he's not a jerk like Toji! Or..." Asuka gave a quick glance at Shinji but Mari gave Asuka a look to stop.
"Yep and he is also from your class." Misato said. Asuka screamed and covered her face.
"Mien Gott! It better not be Kensuke! Oh dear God no!"
"Don't worry, it's not Kensuke." Misato said, though she cringed with the thought. As much as she likes all of their friends, Kensuke is a bit annoying with otaku fanboyism trait. The world would be doomed. "It's Kaworu Nagisa and does seem quite the charm." Misato winked at the two girls. The name caused a mix reaction to the sisters. Mari was surprised how small the world really is, yet she was happy that it wasn't someone else. If she was going to work with this boy and being friends then seeing him tomorrow would be best. Better to know sooner than later. But Asuka was all over the place.
"Just Goddamnit!" She screamed. "Why does every stupid male pilot have to be a weirdo or an idiot? Great now he will make a move on Mari for sure and our bloodline would be in ruins!"
"What?" Misato's attention was high alert; she was always a huge fan of gossip that just sounded too good. "Someone has a thing for you Mari?" Misato was giggling as the alcohol was taking the best of her. Mari face grew red in frustration and banged the table as Asuka was pulling her hair out. Shinji just stood there in silence the whole time, holding Pen Pen who was on his lap in fear that the redhead would snap and kill them all.
"For the last time Asuka!" Mari exclaimed. "Kaworu and I are just friends!"
"Wait, so..." Misato said as she was confused of the situation.
"Kaworu and I are both in that stupid service class. Monday onward we're going to collect money for the homeless and the sick and Asuka thinks that just because I talked to him means we are going to fuck and have babies. I told her we are friends and that is all." Just saying that Asuka still wanted to puke; the boy was being squeezed to death by the scared penguin. Misato cocked her head towards Mari as if a dog just heard its master talking to it as if the master had lost his mind. Finally Shinji stepped in for Mari.
"Well," Shinji said unsure if this would do any help. "Kaworu never talked to any of us in class. Sure he might be queer and but he seems nice enough. For the three days he was here he would read a book and stop to just to see what everyone else is doing. Maybe he talked to Mari today because the fact he will be working with her for the donations is him trying to see if Mari would be a friend or a foe. And the fact where are all in the same class together..." He paused for a moment to see if Asuka and Mari would ring his neck. But to his relief, the women were all surprised of what he is saying. Never before they heard him being the voice of reason. Even the penguin stopped hugging him and looked up with disbelief. Reassured by this, Shinji continued his thought. "Maybe he wants to join our group?"
Asuka, confused on whether she hit him for suggesting that or to finally admire him for once in a long time, just stood stare staring at him in silence. Mari was grateful that someone was on her side.
"Thank you! Pup I am glad that someone doesn't think this is a big deal." Mari then glanced at Asuka. "Unlike some people." Asuka soon looked with a stupefied face as she didn't understand why she wasn't grateful for someone watching out for her. It would soon evolved in frustration as Asuka turned her back on Mari and crossed her arms. Shinji and Misato gave each other quick looks as they waited to see what comes next. By now the penguin ran back to his room, making sure that he was nice and secure, and locked the door.
"I don't believe this! You are blind to a sister's concern and love!"
"First off, Asuka, you seem to be fine with this after our little talk. It was only when it turns out he is another pilot! If he wasn't we wouldn't..." But the glasses girl stopped as she had realized that this was going to be in vain. Mari stood up and walked towards her bedroom. "You know what? This is silly I am not going to put through this bullshit. I am going to bed."
"But Mari." Shinji said as she was marching to her room with her feet sliding on the floor with her socks. "It's 7:30. We don't..." He was cut off as Mari turned around and her eyes were pinning which prompted Shinji to be quiet. Her facial flesh was covered in red, more red than a cherry. Her fists were clutching together harder by the ticking of the clock. For once Shinji now felt uneasy with the brunette girl; he had seen what she can do to Angels and didn't want to see what she can to humans as well. Sensing his fear, Mari had calmed down a bit but still was annoyed with the world.
"Good. Night!" She said to everyone in the room and slammed the door. The remaining three stood there in silence until Misato got up and grabbed another beer, leaving Asuka and Shinji alone. Shinji stared at Asuka for a moment in that time. After all, he did try his best to please these two and make everyone calm. Asuka turned around and lashed out at him.
"Go away! You idiot! I don't need your sympathy Goddamnit!" And that Shinji got up as he mentally wallowed in hurt feelings and collected all the trash that was created and took it to the garbage. Misato just watched from the kitchen counter and shook her head.
"These kids are something else." She whispered to herself as she took another big sip of beer in her mouth. "So much for everything going smooth tomorrow."
