The dream was something as real as the wind; invisible to the eye, but felt over your whole body. I lay there, just sitting and waiting… then I raised myself up. It was dark, still, and sounded as if a war was going on beyond the threshold beyond the abyss I was wading in. I moved to it.
I don't know why. I went quickly. I felt my legs hurt as the muscles urged the bones to move as they should, or perhaps shouldn't. I felt the wind rush over me, telling me words of warning, fear, sadness, and hate.
"Return, you should not come. This will scar you. This will scare you. This will haunt you."
"You won't like this. You were safe there. Why do you always have to be here?"
"I'm scared… just as you are."
The last one might have been me calling to them… whoever the voices were, but I continued.
Then I saw it.
Carnage lay before my eyes as I dropped whatever was in my hands. I wanted to think it was something to defend myself, but I highly doubt it was that. It was something I kept with me often. A pillow, blanket, it was something akin to that. I fell atop it, watching as the police took photo after photo of what was before me.
A noise I had not heard came from me, and then I was taken away. That was the last I saw of them. They were dead, gone, and forgotten by the world. One a brilliant writer, taking the human imagination on journeys unknown at the time, and the other, a marvel of a scientific mind, ever reaching and wanting more; They left me alone, to fend for myself and become something that they would notice and be proud of.
That was the last time I saw them. I shuffled around from place to place, reaching higher and higher, hoping that one day, I could reach the heavens, and tell them both…
"Mother… Father… Look at all I've done. Are you proud of me now?"
The words broke through his mind and woke him up. Akihiko lay in his bed, sweating, and breathing heavily.
"Dammit. That dream…"
He knew his parents were proud of him, regardless of what he had done or will do, but still, he felt responsible for what happened that day. Their deaths, their overwhelmingly powerful deaths at the hands of each other, someone else, or something else entirely still made him feel… empty to what they may have wanted from him. Each night the dream happened, it was the same. The voices, the scene that he can never forget, the flashes of lights and those feelings of emptiness; he never wanted to feel something that bad again. He almost had before with Sena when she was knocked out but…
He shook his head. "That's not the same. She didn't die."
Thank god.
Standing and stretching, he looked over to the window, watching the curtains sway slowly in the circulating air of his room. He drew them open, and let the light wash over him as the shower of warmth began to wake him up. "Guess… it's time for school again."
It had been a few days over a week since the attack with the electrifying Angel. Another new student had joined their class, and the reports from their teacher said that… there were no immediate threats.
Akihiko disrobed and went to his bathroom to get ready for the day. The water warmed and he stepped into his shower, thinking about everything that they could be called to do. "Our lives are on the line every fight… We're… the only real defense against those things…" He said, his mind heavy on the thoughts. He closed his eyes and let the water rush over him, letting it take him into a river of bliss and tranquility. He hadn't felt this sense of calm in a while… he somehow felt safe and cared about.
He liked the feeling, and he wanted it to last for as long as he could make it so.
It was only the second day that the transfer student had arrived, but already she had made a name for herself. "The Ice Queen," by most of the more forward and perverted boys seeking to date her, most of the girls simply called her by name; behind her back however, the "Ice Demon's" name got hurled around and thrown in the dirt more often than most.
It was terrifying to behold. One person couldn't be so blunt or cold to everyone, could they? Perhaps it was an act to keep herself safe from getting to close to people? Maybe she just needed her space for now and she would join her own group of friends later?
Wishful thinking from most people in her class certainly. She sat in an unoccupied desk at the front of the room, answered every question when called on and volunteered for many things. The semester was heating up as the month rolled on, and many students were exhausted from the heat, but somehow, Nami Murakami only wore her winter uniform, of a longer skirt, long sleeved top, and even a small cardigan over it. The class wondered who she could be, and where she could be from, but each question about her and each question fielded to her by another student gave nearly the same response.
"I don't associate with naïve plebeians. Begone from my sight this instant. I am here to study."
Variations only made the answers hurt more.
"What do you think of her Sena?" Akihiko asked as his head rested on his hand. The school day had almost come to an end, and the next day would be exactly a week before Golden Week began. Everyone in the class was excited, except Nami it seemed.
"She just seems… really lonely… Kind of like how I was… but…" She said, somewhat hesitantly.
Nami turned to look at her, seemingly hearing her comment even though she was so far off. Sena was taken by surprise, and gasped a little before averting her gaze. She looked to Akihiko, and smiled a little. "Maybe she just needs friends?"
"With that attitude of hers, good luck." He replied, his arms crossed.
"Well that's the pot calling the kettle black." Kaoru's voice broke through the stagnant conversation. "I wouldn't get too close to her. She seems a bit iffy. Even to me." She put her bags on top of her desk and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Uhhhh it's hot…" She sat down with a slump. "What are you guys gonna do for Golden Week?"
Akihiko sat up to this, awaiting their answers, eyeing Sena mostly to see what she would say. "Since we are some of the only students that have a full EVA, we can't really go far. If we get called, we need to be ready ASAP."
"Yeah. But still, doesn't mean we can't enjoy our time off… right?" Sena replied, running a brush through her hair."
"I guess… But still…" The two snapped their gaze to Sena, awaiting her answer.
"Ummm…. I don't know what I want to do for Golden Week… All the previous years… I just stayed with my dad… This year I think he said he'll be working…"
"Perfect. That means we can do whatever we want almost," Kaoru giggled, a mischievous smile cracking across her face, "how about we head to the beach a few days then? It's close to our houses. We can even invite Reiji and Akihiko, if you want to anyway."
"I'm right here," Akihiko said, pointing at her from his desk, "Why'd that sound like you really didn't want us around?"
"Did you say something?" She said with a cold smile.
"Guys don't fight," Sena managed to get out before the last bell for classes rang. Students began to shuffle out the door, going to clubs or heading home. Kaoru and Reiji both went home together, saying that had to contact someone after school, but they would be over to hang out soon, and Akihiko said he needed to check something out in the town market before heading to the dorms, and then heading over to Sena's. They had made that the meeting place for activities after school. Her father was never home after school, and the entrance into Headquarters was right around the corner. It was a perfect place to wait just in case something where to go awry or at least, that was the reason Akihiko gave.
After waving them on, Sena gathered her things and began to leave too. She stood up, and realized that she was the only other student in the room, with Nami. She looked over to the girl, and noticed she was still sitting, focused on her book in front of her. She was stunning to say the least, even to Sena. She could just feel… brilliance and beauty exude from the girl that sat a few feet away. Sena slid out of her seat slowly, and moved quietly over to the class's cold beauty.
"H…hey…" She managed to mumble, "I… I haven't seen you… talk to anyone much… are you… are you… not…" Sena couldn't get the words out. Her throat felt dry… and cold. Her eyes were starting to blur as the chill of the… wait… chill?
She felt her skin crawl with an eerie chill, and an icy feeling creep up her spine. Nami turned, and met her with an even colder stare. "Tell me, why did you come to talk to me?" She said bluntly.
"I… I thought you looked lonely…" Sena said, stumbling back.
"Do I? Do I not look like I was concentrating on the book I was engrossed in? Did it not occur to you that I may not wish to talk to some of the people around me due to their incessant questions about every facet of my being? Did I not appear to be simply a student wishing to learn in a new place? Do I look helpless or in need of assistance, Sena Ikari?" The chill seemed to encroach on Sena's body as the questions came in waves. Soon, she was backed into the wall, at the mercy of Nami's words.
"I… I'm sorry… I… just wanted to see how you were doing…" Tears began to spring to the corners of her eyes. They did not roll, but the glint from the sun outside caught them just so, and shined brightly to Nami.
Nami's eyes narrowed. Innocence. That's what she likes about these lilin. They are all… incompetent, and impressionable. You can change them, mold them… I understand… but why did they attack Barachiel? Simply to show their power? And what were those creatures that helped subdue him? Perhaps… I can find this out from them… This… Sena girl… she seems nice at least…Nami thought to herself, before letting her eyes rest and close for a moment.
The chill in the air subsided, or perhaps Sena simply became accustomed to it, but soon, Sena could feel the air around her warm again. "I am sorry Sena Ikari… I have been harsh. It seems that… stress must be getting to me." She gave a deep bow after standing up. "I hope that I did not anger you in any way."
"No… no… uh… Just… was a little scared. That's all…" Sena gave a small laugh before getting herself off of the wall. "So… What… do you do after school Nami?"
"I go home and study. That is all I really do. Why do you ask?" She said, before gathering her things and getting ready to leave.
"Would you… want to come to my house? We can hang out for a while and I can show you around town on the way. There are plenty of things to do… besides study anyway." She said with a brighter smile.
Nami looked confused. "Aren't you all… students? Don't you… need to study?"
"Well…" Sena scratched her cheek with one finger, "We do… but you need rest and relaxation to study better… right? Even just… getting some chocolate or something while you study helps a lot!"
What have I stumbled into? What is this? Students are to learn and study the ways of the past and of knowledge they do not have so that they better the future. Even all of us as Adam's children know this and study as best we can… constantly until we are adequate for our jobs… I have studied the climates of a myriad of different worlds with my brothers and sisters, ensuring seasons, rotations of planets, positions in the stars… everything is just right for them… what is this… chocolate she speaks of? A tool to help study? Why… if it were so simple, we angels would have come up with something so vital. A way to increase knowledge gained…
Nami was deep in thought, but Sena stayed put as she watched her new friend zoom through her mind.
Perhaps this is what I should investigate instead. I am not here to harm… I am here to observe and learn… They wish to know why Barachiel was attacked but… I can figure that out alongside this tool that could speed even our own development! The Council will be pleased!
A wide true smile came across her face, and Sena smiled in return. "Alright! Let's walk to my house! We'll stop by a few shops before getting there!"
Reiji sat in his vat of liquids with his respirator secured over his mouth. The tests were being run as she was instructed to do while SEELE watched over the procedure and the interview with her began.
Sena slid her school uniform off as Reiji's tests began and put on a blue dress to let herself breathe a little. The monitors came on soon after, each with their own number displaying in a brilliant red. The voices were muggy and distorted as usual, but Kaoru could still tell them apart.
"Good afternoon Kaoru. We will start the weekly meeting soon. Is there anything you wish to tell us before we begin our questioning?" The monitor with 01 on it fizzled slightly, indicating it was the one who was speaking.
"I can save you the trouble of some of the questions. Do I know what Nuriel wants? No, and I don't care what they frozen hag says. Do I know who might show up next? There are a lot of them… it could be anyone… Maalik may show up next. He never really liked Nuriel's chilly nature. I dunno though. Could be anyone. Didn't you guys already have a line-up of who you thought would come? It's right so far I think. And yes, I am still getting close to Sena. She's a nice girl and I am interested in her. Happy? Do you have any other idiotic questions for me to answer?" She stood with her fists on her hips, and resting her weight on one side with her hip sticking out to the side.
The group was taken aback for a moment, gasps and words of exclamation and anger came from the monitors. 01 called for order, and it came quickly. "We all have a few questions for you that are not a part of Nuriel in the slightest. Could we ask those?"
"I don't see why not. Just hurry up. Reiji and I have to be somewhere soon." She replied, anger growing in her voice slowly.
04 began this time. A female from what Kaoru could ascertain. "With your time here on the Earth, how have you taken to adjusting to human life? Do you think others like yourselves could do that?"
"Perhaps," She replied. "Many do not have the same inner workings as me. Many can change form, but most want to keep themselves in their intended states, and do not wish to change, which is why you saw Brachiel look as he did."
03 began soon after a man… perhaps? "How are you feeling? Do you feel any different since you arrived? Have you gotten sick at all?"
"No… I'm not sick. Won't get sick either. Reiji won't either. Shouldn't anyway. And really? Yeah I feel different but I can't place it. Next fucking question." The anger was beginning to get the better of her.
02 came in as soon as she was done. A woman's voice she recognized. "What can we expect from what we are attempting?"
"What do you want to accomplish?" A soft buzz resonated in the room, and Reiji's tank began to drain. "We'll find that out soon won't we? I think we are going to cut the meeting short today. I'll be back next week with much more to tell. For now, goodbye SEELE. We shall both see you later." With a snap of her fingers, and to their protests, the monitors clicked off one by one as Reiji exited the tank. He dressed himself and moved over to the door, soon to head to his room.
"Were the tests satisfactory?" He asked, looking back at her a moment.
"As far as I know yes. You're doing fine." She replied, digging through her closet to find a better outfit.
"So there is… nothing wrong with me?"
"Nothing at all Reiji. Keep experiencing the things you want. Those emotions you are feeling are good things. They aren't bad. I'm finding that out as well," She gave a heavy sigh, "There's a lot of stuff that we don't understand Reiji. We should just live and discover those things for ourselves. That way, we won't have any regrets. Understand? Just live."
Reiji merely nodded, and left, leaving her to her own devices. He pondered what she meant as he rummaged through is things for the proper clothing as well.
The final stretch to the Ikari home was filled with beautiful views, the scent of flowers, and a nice breeze that took the hot air with it. The two girls made their way down the road slowly, soaking in the sun and enjoying the wisps of sea air coming from the beach not far from the home.
"So… how did you like the shops? I used to go all the time, but now since I have friends… well…" Sena blushed a little as she carried on to the silent Nami next to her. She held a few bags in her hand that contained a swimsuit that she liked, an assortment of chocolates and sweets in another, and the last one was a plastic sack from a convenient store, containing a few random delicious snacks recommended by Sena.
"These shops are quite… quaint. The smells from the chocolatier were divine however. When can we partake in those?" Nami said, her eyes appearing to glisten with want for the confections.
"We can take a bite once we are at my house. I think we still need to change for our little after school get together right?" Sena said, and then gasped a little. "I didn't even think… did you… bring anything to change into? I don't know if my stuff will fit but… you can try."
"Thank you but it is not needed," She said, lifting her bag, "I bring a change of clothes every day so that I do not have to wear those disgusting clothes after our physical exercise. I can change into those."
"Haha! I know what you mean. It does feel weird putting your school clothes back on afterwards…" Sena said, going along with the conversation as they reached the door.
They went in and changed, and before long, were back downstairs. Sena began getting things out for snacks and to begin their after school activities. Soon after, the doorbell rang.
"Coming," Sena said, as she moved through the living room to the front door. Nami followed to investigate.
She opened the door to see Reiji in his usual button down and shorts combo that she had seen so many times, Akihiko behind them in a t-shirt and shorts, and Kaoru in a small blue dress.
"Hey there Sena! How's ever—Woah! Hey Nami, didn't expect you here…" Akihiko said, his eyes getting wide as he saw the Ice Queen next to Sena. She wore a white dress with a blue ribbon around her waist, and gave a slight bow to them. "Welcome. Sena invited me over for you're after school activities. I hope that is alright."
Kaoru gave her a quick glare, but gave Sena a happy smile. "The more the merrier right? Come on! I rented a movie for us to watch! It's called Alien!" She said in a cheery voice as the two boys looked to each other with a sense of dread and fear, either for the events about to unfold before them between the girls, or the terrifying scenes depicted in the films Kaoru had brought.
