"It's unlike anything I've ever seen before... the sky's turned red, and I can see a pillar of light looming over the horizon... I'm not getting out of this alive. Will continue to report."
- An excerpt from Steven Martin's firsthand account of Second Impact, as observed from Peter I Island. Published posthumously in 2002.
==/*\==
The water was soothing as he drifted through it, not bothering to move a muscle. There was no limit to the water around him, but there was no darkness, no pressure; only the faint impression of a blue sky that surrounded it all.
"Why do we dream like this?" he wondered aloud.
"It is necessary," came the reply. "The mind flushes itself clean, renewing itself for the new day. This is why these meetings are so few and far between, as I would not want to interfere with the process."
"Do you dream?"
"I do not sleep. But yes, I do dream, when you do the same."
"What do you dream about?"
"My previous experiences, all jumbled together. The faces and places blur, and sometimes come into focus. The dream is just memory and thought combining together, after all. That's one thing our kinds have in common."
"Do you get nightmares?"
"...do you?"
"Sometimes," Shinji replied. "Sometimes... I'm at a train station, just a kid, barely able to see through my tears. Sometimes, I think I see my Dad walking away. Other times, there's no one else, and it's dark... and cold. If it's not that, then it's usually just something I saw in a horror movie the night before, but those dreams aren't as bad."
"And what of the good ones?"
"Well... sometimes I dream that I'm playing cello in front of a concert hall. There's not a lot of people. In fact, there's almost nobody. Some come and go. A girl I once had a crush on in elementary school, or maybe someone that didn't look down on me. My father's usually there, finally smiling for once, and more have been coming in. Misato. Toji and Kensuke. Rei, sometimes."
"Asuka?"
"...even her. In fact, she's been in every dream since we've met."
"Hmmm."
Shinji ignored the comment. "But there's always someone else there, clapping the loudest. I don't even remember her face anymore... but I still feel warm inside when I see her."
"That sounds nice."
"It is."
Silence. Shinji closed his eyes, and simply floated. It was easy to lose himself in it all, and enjoy the peace he so rarely found in the waking world.
"My nightmares are of blood," Hayata said. "Blood, and screams."
Shinji opened them again. The sky all around him had darkened, as though a storm was looming over the non-existent horizon, and a stillness had pervaded the waters.
"Make no mistake, Shinji; though I have helped a great many peoples, scattered on a thousand worlds like jewels in the sand, I have failed just as many. I have held countless lives, only for them to slip through my fingers."
"What do you mean?"
"I cannot help all the worlds that need it. While I avert disaster on one, another will suffer, and-"
"Don't," Shinji said, before he even realized the words were escaping his lips.
"Don't?"
Shinji sucked in a breath. "Don't blame yourself like that, Hayata. I know it must hurt, but just because you can't help everybody doesn't mean it's your fault. Are you really going to blame yourself for not being able to be in two places at once? Just the fact that you're actually doing something means you're not a bad person, because even if you only save one... it's still a good thing. Nobody can get everything."
"Were it as simple as that," Hayata said. "But I've even failed worlds that I was on."
For a few moments, Shinji got an impression, blurred and distorted, as if seen through eyes that weren't human. He caught a glimpse of black seas, strewn with inhuman bodies, and felt a surge of pain in his side, wholly different from the pain he was used to. He watched the alien eyes look down at a quartet of tendrils, stained with violet blood that glowed in the darkness.
That was when he heard it. A trio of bell-like cries, like the giggling of some mad, childish god. A shiver ran up his spine as he recognized the sound.
Suddenly, the memory faded, and the clouds receded. Once more, Shinji found himself floating in the endless water.
"I should not have done that to you," Hayata said, gently. "To share my pain with you, when your already seems so full of it... it was a cruel thing."
"Don't feel too bad about it," Shinji replied. "I think it helps me understand you a little more. I mean, if you're going to be living in my head, we might as well know each other better, right?"
"Yes, I suppose."
"Why don't you show me a happy memory? I think we could both use it."
Shinji could practically feel Hayata's smile.
The scene shifted once more. No longer were they in the water, but on the edge of a great cliff. Unusually slender mountains dotted the landscape beneath them, more like giant stalagmites than anything else. Blue fog rolled over the ground, wafting between the foothills of the mountains. Looking up, Shinji saw that sky above them was as black as ink, yet seemed to swirl.
"The first I ever visited," Hayata said. "Even after all these millions of years, I still remember it. After my host and I saved the world from an attacking beast, we came up here, admiring the vista before I had to return to the heavens."
"It's beautiful," Shinji breathed.
"Yes... yes, it is."
Shinji gazed at the sight for some time, until he became aware of a deep, booming sound, like the beating of a great drum. He looked around, wondering if it was part of the memory.
"What's that noise?" Hayata wondered.
The booming was getting louder, and louder. Shinji looked across the horizon, and realized there were a pair of tiny figures perched on a mountaintop, their forms obscured by the fog.
"Hayata, who are those?"
"I've never seen those before."
There was something else, hanging behind them, something that looked like it could hold the sky on its shoulders, but Shinji couldn't tell what it was. It was less than a shadow, like a phantom impression that may not have even been there.
And during all that time, the drumbeat was growing louder, and louder...
"Wake up, baka!"
Shinji's eyes snapped open, and he jolted upright on his sleeping mat. Asuka was pounding on the door, and he hopped to his feet, running over. Opening the door a crack, he peered at Asuka, and realized she was already dressed for school.
"Come on, I'm not missing the field trip because of you," the pilot said, tapping her foot impatiently. "Get dressed."
Shinji blinked in surprise. "Field trip?"
Asuka scowled. "To the new history museum, of course. Were you even paying attention in class when the teacher talked about it?"
With that, she walked away, as if that really explained anything. Shinji watched her go, then ducked back into his room, hastily throwing on his school uniform.
"I can't believe there was an announcement for a field trip," he muttered to himself, buttoning up his shirt. "There's no way they announced it..."
They did, Hayata said. Three times.
Shinji shrugged on his backpack. You knew about this? Why didn't you tell me?
I thought you already knew about it, came the simple reply.
Sighing, Shinji hurried out of his room, jogging down the hallway. Asuka was already at the door, leaning against the wall as she munched on an apple.
Why is your heart rate rising? Hayata asked. The jog was not that strenuous-
Just leave it at that, please.
Understood.
Asuka threw the half-eaten apple in the trash. "Since I apparently need to tell you, the bus will be at the school. If we rush, we can make it."
"T-thanks for waiting," Shinji said.
"Hmph." Asuka opened the door, then gestured for him to go through. "Let's get going, washout."
Shinji nodded, and stepped through. The stormy clouds had disappeared overnight, leaving another sunny day in Tokyo-3. He breathed in through his nose, taking in the smell of summer, then started walking.
Asuka appeared at his side, looking down at her watch. After a moment's hesitation, he spared a glance at her. As always, she was wearing the A-10 nerve clips in her hair, though he didn't know why. Was she just trying to show everyone just who she was?
Or what others expect her to be, Hayata offered.
Do you have a comment for every situation? Shinji asked, exasperated.
Only for situations that warrant comments, came the innocent reply.
That was a rhetorical question.
I don't think it was, though I do admit... I can sense your frustration. Very well; I'll stay silent for now.
Thank you. Shinji closed his eyes, enjoying the silence.
"Did anyone ever tell you you're kinda weird, washout?"
The silence was nice while it lasted. Opening his eyes again, he glanced over at Asuka. The pilot seemed to almost be studying him, more curious than accusatory.
"Weird?"
"Yeah. You don't talk much, and you're always looking into space, like you're having a daydream."
Shinji felt his cheeks warm up, and he averted his eyes. "I mean... I just like looking at the world, I guess."
"Well, at least it sets you out from the other stooges; it makes you seem more adult." Asuka swished her hair back. "Lord knows I can't stand anybody my age."
"Don't you hang out with the class rep?"
Asuka blinked in surprise, then regained her composure. "Well, sometimes you need somebody to talk to, even if they are a half-wit, otherwise you'll go mad. I mean, I talk to you, don't I?"
Shinji almost said, Yeah, when you want something, but bit his tongue at the last moment. He had a feeling that'd just make things worse.
"Thanks," he mumbled instead, and walked ahead.
The school was in sight, a crowd of students milling at the front. Already he could see the buses rolling up, and he quickened his pace, breaking into a run.
Toji and Kensuke were already there, and he decided to meet up with them. They stopped what appeared to be a heated discussion, and waved him over.
"Sup?" Toji asked. "Kensuke an' me were just talkin' about those crab things at the base yesterday."
"Is it true that they were clonal organisms?" the otaku asked, eyes glittering with intensity. "That'd be so cool; the only other one on record is Hedorah, and that was pretty short-lived."
Shinji shrugged. "Uh, I guess? I mean, I didn't see much of it."
Toji grinned. "Yeah, and I was about ta tell Kensuke why."
Before the jock could say anymore, his eyes narrowed, staring at something over Shinji's shoulder.
"Even when ya don't speak of the devil..."
Turning, Shinji saw Asuka running over, gasping for air. Her cheeks were red with exhaustion, and her skin was slick with sweat.
"How the hell did you move so fast?" she said between gasps. "And you're not even tired..."
"D'awww, is the tired wittle pilot bein' outclassed by our pal here?" Toji asked with a pout, clamping a hand on Shinji's shoulder. "Guess ya ain't as badass as erry'body thinks."
"You're also a pilot, baka," Asuka replied, teeth gritted. "Kinda shooting yourself in the foot there."
"Pffft. I don't need ta prove my badassery."
Asuka straightened, fists clenched. "Then if you're so confident, why don't you come over and say that again?"
Toji started forward, only for Shinji to block his way with an arm.
"Not right before a field trip, please. I just want a quiet day after everything that happened."
"What are you talking about, washout?" Asuka demanded. "I thought it was just a quiet day."
Thankfully, salvation came in the form of Rei. The blue-haired pilot strode towards the group, cooly surveying everything.
"Pilot Soryhu, starting a confrontation with Pilot Suzahara should be avoided whenever possible," she said softly.
Asuka huffed. "It's not like-"
"Or I will end it."
Everyone stared at Rei. The pilot gently rubbed her temple, eyes closed.
"Apologies," she said. "I did not intend to say that. I believe I am still in emotional unbalance from yesterday."
"Just what the hell happened yesterday?" Asuka demanded.
Before anyone could reply, the teacher came over, as tired-looking as always. He seemed to glance at each one, then look down to his board with half-closed eyes.
"This will do," he said. "You five are now a group for the field trip."
"What?" Shinji asked.
Asuka planted her fists on her hips. "Yeah, what group?"
"Students will remain in their group and take separate tours of the museum, as to make it easier for other patrons," the teacher explained tiredly. "You five will stay together, and any straying will result in a penalty mark on all of your gradebooks."
With that, he walked away.
"I can't believe I have to be in a group with the Red Devil," Kensuke groaned.
"Like it's any fun for me, stooge," Asuka retorted. "Two bumbling perverts, a washout, and wonder-girl over there."
Rei's nostrils flared at the remark, and Shinji could've sworn he saw a similar expression on someone else. Clearing his throat, he decided to try and deescalate things.
"It can't be that bad," he said. "I think we'll be able to have fun, right?"
Rei came to his defense first. "Ikari is right. This trip may be able to soothe tensions."
Asuka frowned, but said nothing else.
"Well, at least I like half the group," Toji remarked. "Let's get goin'; the buses are openin' up."
Shinji allowed a faint smile, and walked towards the bus.
==/*\==
Rei leaned her head against the window, watching the landscape roll by as the bus lumbered towards Tokyo-2. She was still feeling fatigued from the events of yesterday, even after the gene serum boost Dr. Akagi had given her, and the temptation to take a nap was a strong one.
She absentmindedly fiddled with the stone under her blouse, and closed her eyes, her mind wandering in both senses of the term. The link was growing stronger, she felt; if she focused enough, she could see through the Guardian's eyes, if only in glimpses.
Gamera was still in Major Katsuragi's apartment, she knew. The combat director's pet penguin had opened the fridge door, and was in the process of offering the Guardian some lettuce and fruit to eat, while procuring some fish for itself.
That gave her pause. Who knew that penguins could display such intelligence?
She felt a pressure in the back of her head, and she pulled back into herself. Each day, her abilities grew a little stronger, a little more refined. And as that happened, the risk of discovery by Godzilla became greater and greater. The next time she peered into his mind, she worried, he would peer back.
And yet, it was almost addictive. Whenever she felt the cool ocean currents rush over her skin, or felt his thoughts brush against hers, she was reluctant to leave. She felt powerful as she looked through his eyes, like she could take on the world.
"Giant what?"
Rei opened her eyes again, and saw that Asuka was turning around to argue with Toji, who was sitting behind them.
"I'm tellin' ya," Toji said from a seat behind, arms folded. "There were these giant crab things gobblin' everythin' up. I heard Katsuragi used a flamethrower on 'em."
"Bullshit," Asuka said. "That makes absolutely no sense."
"Shinji can back me up on it. Tell 'er, Shin-man!"
Rei spared a glance at the boy, who was sitting across the aisle from them. Shinji's cheeks reddened, and he looked down at the floor.
"I mean... I did get attacked by a giant bug thing," he said. "But I didn't see much. Ultraman saved me and locked me in a closet until it was all over."
Rei could sense the spike of surprise and anger rising within Asuka. The red-haired pilot leaned over, eyes narrowed.
"That silver dork was there?" she hissed. "How the hell did he even get in?"
Shinji's face paled, and he raised his hands defensively. "I-I don't know; I was in a closet all day."
"The official report is that Ultraman used an hitherto unseen ability to teleport in and out of the base," Rei said calmly.
Asuka looked at her, then back at Shinji. "You knew, too?"
"I was in my locker when the attack happened. I saw Ultraman destroy most of the remaining creatures."
"Of course he did," Asuka grumbled. She looked around at the others in the group. "Am I the only one who's questioning the whole thing? What the hell is he? Where did he come from? He violates everything we know about physics and can kill Angels. Is he some secret Soviet super-weapon? An alien? Hell, is even really on our side?"
"Are you guys talking about Ultraman?" a kid called from up front. "I got a t-shirt with him on it-"
"Shut it," Asuka snarled.
Kensuke huffed. "Oh, so just because he's taking the spotlight away from you, he has to be a bad guy. You know, Toji told me he saved your ass. Sounds like you're being pretty ungrateful."
Asuka set her jaw with a click, then looked back to Shinji. "Aren't you at least a little concerned about him? You seem a bit more mature than these stooges."
Shinji blinked, then shrugged slightly. "Uh... well, he did save me from the monsters yesterday, and he helped out with the Angels. Maybe he just wants to help people?"
"Or is Ultraman even a he?" Kensuke mused. "Maybe that armor's meant to hide that she's a girl!"
Everyone stared at the otaku. Toji shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"That's definitely not a girl's build," Asuka said.
"And how would you know?" Kensuke retorted.
"Most likely when Ultraman carried her down after fighting the Fifth Angel," Rei offered.
Toji chuckled, then wagged his eyebrows. "So our little braggart here got ta feel up Ultraman, huh? Maybe she's so acting so angry ta hide how-"
"C'mon, Toji," Shinji sighed. "This is getting weird."
Toji leaned back into his seat, shrugging. Rei watched Asuka sit back down, studying her expression. The pilot's cheeks were red, and one didn't need to be psychic to sense the frustration bubbling under her skin.
"You didn't need to defend me there, washout," she said. "I don't need or want pity. Especially not from you."
Shinji looked down. "Sorry."
Rei frowned at the interaction. She could smell the pheromones in the air between them; it was especially strong with people their age. There was lust, yes, but that was expected. However, on the level of the mind, she saw that there was a bit more... a desire for companionship, one being squashed down by other feelings.
On the other hand, Shinji was an enigma. She could glimpse a few surface thoughts, here and there, like an image distorted by a mirror, but nothing else. His deeper thoughts and feelings were like static, obscured by something she could not explain.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of tires squealing to a halt, followed by the faint pneumatic hiss of the doors opening. Silently, she stood up, and waited to exit.
==/*\==
Tokyo-2 History Museum
Shinji looked up at the museum, taking the detail in. There was a gorgeous abstract sculpture in the middle of the steps, acting as a post for the mural that separated the entrance and exit. The museum itself was beautifully designed; it almost reminded him of a pagoda, but it was distinct enough to avoid being a rehash. There was already a large crowd walking into the building, with people from all around the country and beyond. He could even see a few Simeons in the crowd, their hirsute forms easily distinguishable.
Asuka took the lead, walking ahead of him. "C'mon, let's not just stand around like a bunch of bakas."
I feel like she's a bit angrier than usual, Shinji thought. What do you think, Hayata?
No response.
Hayata?
I can't talk. Not now.
Shinji blinked in surprise, then started forward, not wanting to be left behind. He looked at the mural as he climbed up the steps. It started out with something that looked like ancient cave paintings, then moved on to artwork that depicted various events in ancient and medieval history, using art styles that were prevalent in that time. There were coronations, battles, the odd city...
Towards the latter part, the mural began to show more recent events, becoming more realistic than abstract. There was Commodore Peary's arrival, the Pacific War, and urban expansion. It was then that he began to see kaiju in the mural. Gojira standing over the destroyed Diet Building, Rodan flying by the Mysterian Dome, and King Ghidorah's arrival at Mt. Fuji.
Getting in was easy enough, despite the line. Once he was cleared by the security, he stepped into the building's atrium, looking around. Asuka was grabbing an audio guide, putting the headphones in. When she started walking away, he discreetly made his way over and picked one up as well, selecting German. He was probably going to miss most of the information, but he could always just read the signs.
After a moment's hesitation, he walked over to where she was, following her line of vision. She seemed to be studying a monument to Gojira's attack on Tokyo, lips moving as she read the Japanese.
"Where are we going now?" he asked.
Asuka shrugged. "I don't really care. It's either just a bunch of old Japanese stuff or gushing over monsters."
"Well, it's important to us," he replied. "I wouldn't complain about everything being German if I went to a museum in Berlin."
"Heh. Fair enough." Asuka was silent for a moment. "What good stuff is there here?"
Shinji looked down at the map. "Well, we can see some stuff from the Edo period; there's some artwork there..."
"Ohmygodisthat-"
Shinji turned just in time to nearly be bowled over by Kensuke. Asuka grabbed his shoulder to keep him from falling, then quickly snatched her hand away. They watched as Kensuke ran to a piece of metal near one of the halls.
"Yes, it is! This is a fragment of the original Mechagodzilla!"
"Not one minute in, and he's already spazzin' out," Toji groaned, walking over. "This is gonna be fun."
Rei briskly walked by, heading towards the metal fragment. Shinji followed a moment later, sighing to himself. Sure enough, the inscription at the bottom of the case read: FRAGMENT OF MECHAGODZILLA'S CHEST ARMOR. RECOVERED FROM OKINAWA, 1974.
"This is so cool!" Kensuke squeaked. "You can see some charring where Godzilla's atomic breath hit it!"
"The inscription says nothing of how the piece was dislodged," Rei said quietly. "This may have simply been blasted away when the machine exploded."
"Nah, there's a certain way the metal cools after being melted by his ray, and you can clearly see it here."
Asuka leaned forward with look of disdain. "Why the hell is called space-titanium, anyway?"
"I think I read that the Simeon word for space is also their word for heaven," Shinji said.
"Vri-aranga ti rankaj," Toji murmured, quietly. When they all glanced his way, he shrugged. "My dad works with some Simeons."
"I thought they just spoke by shrieking and howling, Kensuke said, grinning. "You know, eek and ook."
Shinji was surprised by how quickly Asuka and Toji both glared at Kensuke, causing the otaku to shrink away.
"Not cool, man," Toji said.
"Monkey jokes have a lot of history where I'm from," Asuka added.
Kensuke held up his hands defensively. "Don't look at me like that! I didn't know that was a bad joke to make."
"Helpful tip for you, stooge. Next time you think of a joke, don't say it."
Rei touched the glass, peering closer at the metal. "Isn't this metal the basis of Evangelion armor?"
"A lighter mixture, anyway," Asuka said, expression lightening. "My Eva has the most advanced alloy."
"Bullshit," Toji muttered, voice becoming whiny as he did an imitation. "My Eva this, my Eva that; anything ya can do, I can do better..."
Shinji decided to preemptively end the argument by clearing his throat. "Hey, Asuka, they have a collection with a German name attached; is it anything nice?"
Asuka snatched the map from his hand, and darted her eyes over the text. Her eyes widened, and Shinji realized she was getting excited.
"They have the Kihl Collection here? I never even got to see it when it was in Berlin!" She gave him back the map, and straightened. "I know where we're going next!"
With that, she suddenly made a beeline for one of the halls, gesturing for everyone to follow.
"Are we seriously lettin' the Red Devil take over?" Toji asked in disbelief. "Why couldn't I go with Hikari?"
Shinji shrugged. "I guess that's just chance."
He suddenly felt a strange pressure in his forehead, just as Rei walked past, briskly following after Asuka. The feeling began to fade, and he rubbed his head, eyes wide.
That was close, Hayata said.
You're back? What was that all about?
I don't know what exactly, Hayata replied. I am not really one with ESP, unlike some members of your species, but I do now when someone is looking for a mind.
Shinji stared at the receding form of Rei. Are you saying that she's a psychic?
Most likely. I'll need to conceal myself when she's close.
Shinji swallowed nervously. Alright, I understand.
"We need to hurry up," Kensuke said, running after the two pilots. "Even if we don't want to."
Sighing again, Shinji jogged forward. Rei was in the middle of the hall, and he awkwardly skirted by her, afraid that if he got too close, she might suddenly react.
Once he was past, he walked over to Asuka's side, looking down at the map again. He could almost feel Rei's eyes boring into the back of his head, and he closed his eyes, focusing on the museum.
"What are you doing, baka?" Asuka asked.
Shinji opened his eyes again, and turned to Asuka. "Uh, I was just, um, thinking."
"Oh?" She smiled slyly. "You weren't trying to sneak a look in, were you?"
He felt his cheeks burn. "No, of course not. I mean, not that I..."
"Not that you what?" Asuka asked, innocently.
Shinji groped for an answer, painfully aware of his blush. Suddenly, the probing sensation at the back of his head subsided. Was Rei unwilling to search those embarrassing thoughts?
Whatever it was, it was working. He could get through this day... as long as he kept himself in an awkward situation with Asuka.
Rock and a hard place, he thought to himself. Story of my life.
==/*\==
The exhibit was in a dimly lit chamber, devoid of windows, and the walls were covered in black velvet, almost seeming to suck in any light that touched it. It almost reminded her of when she visited the British Museum, and saw a special exhibit with artifacts from Canopus and Thonis-Heracleion. The clay pots and inscriptions, put on pedestals all around the chamber, were a bit similar in that regard.
Of course, she remembered, the artifacts here were seventy thousand years older than Egypt.
Asuka silently strode towards a stone slab near one of the walls, as white as bone. It was miraculous, that so many relics survived the Fall of Mu, preserved by mud and clay. Some meta-physicists claimed that there may have been some magic at work, but she never really bought into that stuff. Even kaiju could be scientifically explained for the most part, but the idea of a giant moth doing magic strained belief.
She gazed at the inscriptions carved into the stone, the angular lettering that was most like the Rongorongo writing on Easter Island, though even that was still different. It'd taken twenty years to transcribe it, only to discover that the slab was merely an agricultural chart.
That made her chuckle.
She moved on, looking at rusty bronze blades and ladles, then a small jade statue that looked like Godzilla, if you squinted hard enough at it. E nu'u-kyga-a'a, the inscription read. The Island that Swims.
There were also statues of other kaiju, all displayed on one table. Goddess of Peace. The Mountain that Walked. The Endless Shadow.
She snorted at the titles. People actually worshipped those beasts, waxing poetically about animals that just happened to be bigger than normal. She remembered the otaku, then rectified her thought to 'still worship'.
Still, it was fascinating to gaze at all of the relics, all of them older than any other civilization on Earth by an absurd margin. She was almost afraid that a mere breath could make them crumble to dust, or cause the color to fade...
"What's that?"
Her reverie broken, she shot a look at Shinji, only to gasp. The washout was standing before an entire wall covered in stone slabs, some of them still painted. Some were cracked, others missing, but the overall image was still intact.
She walked over, eyes wide as she looked at the wall.
"Those," she said, "are the Infant Island Fragments."
Shinji glanced over. "The ones all the history books talk about?"
Asuka nodded. "They were discovered in the Kihl Expedition; it was a huge moment of national pride back home. This is probably the biggest archaeological discovery ever."
"My aunt and uncle told me about it," Shinji murmured. "They said it was a pretty big deal."
A snort. "Talk about an understatement."
Shinji looked over at her. "Huh."
"What do you mean, 'huh'?"
The washout smiled faintly. "You look really happy right now. I didn't know you were into this kind of stuff."
"Well, don't ruin my good mood, washout."
Shinji shrugged, and continued studying the Fragments. Then, he pointed.
"Is that Godzilla on the tablet?"
Asuka followed Shinji's finger, and her gaze fell on the largest slab of all, the one that was all over the science magazines she used to read. The etchings looked so fresh, like they'd been made yesterday; it probably helped that the tablet was bigger than a car. There were even still patches of paint left, a fact that baffled archaeologists to this day.
The scene showed something that almost resembled one of those Japanese paintings from the Edo period Shinji had been talking about: a great dragon, face contorted as he shot flames from his mouth. Opposing him was a massive serpent, eight heads spitting lightning and noxious gas. There were other battles depicted on the tablet, too. There was some terrapin-esque monster fighting a flock of black birds, smoke shooting from his hands, and a shisa going up against some great demon, supported by a trio of very recognizable creatures.
The main feature, however, was a great knight standing astride the sea monster. The warrior was as big as the dragon; he seemed like he could hold up the sky, or tread mountains underfoot. The sun shone behind his head as he brought a sword down, severing one of the serpent's heads in one strike.
"Utsuno Ikusagami," she said. "As tall as the sky, his armor as heavy as the sun's heat. I used to read the translation day in and day out when I was a kid."
"Der Schlangenwürder," Shinji said.
Asuka looked at him. "How do you know that?"
She grinned inwardly as the washout looked at the floor, his cheeks red.
"The guide said so. I.. I might be trying to learn German."
"Really?" she asked, feigning her surprise. "Your pronunciation could use some work, but not too shabby."
"T-thanks," the boy said, looking back up. "Uh, danke."
Asuka smiled. "Bitte."
"If I may inquire, why are you two speaking in German?"
Asuka turned to see Rei standing close by, red eyes studying the pair cooly. The blue-haired pilot had earphones in, but the audio clearly wasn't playing.
"Why does it concern you, wonder-girl?"
A faint shrug. "I was merely curious."
"Well, if you're here, could you take a picture of me with the fragments?"
"Asking a favor after a rude dismissal does not usually work in one's favor," Rei said. "But I will oblige."
"Thanks." Asuka handed over her cellphone, then gestured at Shinji. "Might as well come over, too. Don't get any ideas, though."
Shinji awkwardly sidled over, hands glued to his sides. Asuka decided to make him squirm by placing her elbow on his shoulder, holding up a peace sign.
"Cheese," Rei deadpanned.
"Cheese!"
There was a click, and Rei returned the phone. Shinij practically hit warp speed as he ducked out with a mumbled "thanks". Asuka watched the washout regroup with his friends, who were in the middle of gawking at Muuan swords.
"What got into him?" she muttered.
"I do not know," Rei said. "Perhaps he did not enjoy your toying with him."
"Toying? It's just a little teasing. It's the washout's fault for making such a big deal out of it."
"You are aware it is troublesome for him, but you continue with it. It seems almost cruel."
Cruel? Asuka frowned, and turned back to the Fragments. It's just some teasing.
Rei stepped forward, also looking at the tablets. "You do this often. You seem to constantly shift blame, or push others away with your remarks."
"Paging Dr. Freud," Asuka muttered. "Why are you suddenly playing armchair psychology?"
"I do not make claims, but I note things," came the calm reply. "And I have noted trends in your behavior, especially since the battle with the most recent Angel."
"This seems like the longest conversation we've had. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
Rei seemed to ponder the question. "I ask myself that, too. Perhaps it is just someone being a bad influence."
"Was that a dig at me, wonder-girl?"
"No. I speak of someone else."
There was a pregnant pause between the two of them.
"Let me turn things around," Asuka finally said. "Why do you pilot the Eva?"
"It is a bond."
"A bond?"
"With the world at large, even if the bond is thin. Without Eva, my interactions with others would be far more limited." Rei seemed to be playing with something under her shirt. "Why do you pilot?"
Asuka didn't answer. Instead, her gaze fell on the tablet again, on the knight cutting the serpent's head.
"I see."
Asuka straightened, and saw that the boys were leaving. She brushed past the blue-haired pilot, making for the exit.
"Come on, wonder-girl; I don't want those stooges to give me a bad mark."
"I shall stay here for a while longer," Rei replied. "I am enjoying the artwork."
Asuka stayed at the doorway for a moment, a frown on her face. Sighing, she exited the exhibit, and saw that the stooges were getting snacks from the cafeteria.
She was feeling rather hungry. Rei would probably come over in a bit, but some food in the meantime wouldn't hurt.
==/*\==
Rei gazed at the tablets, occasionally glancing over to read the translations. The whole saga of Mu's fall was a fascinating one, even if pieces of it were missing. Absentmindedly, she reached into her pocket, playing with the slim stone tablet as she read about the arrival of Mothra to the battle.
There were other people in the exhibit, but it was rather sparse; most of the museum patrons were probably seeing movies about the Monster Zero War in the massive domed theater, or at a showing in the planetarium. She enjoyed the solitude at times like these; too many minds could be uncomfortable.
She read for a few minutes, then became aware of another mind approaching, followed by the soft creaking as the person sat down at the bench behind her.
"You know, they never found out the name of that giant turtle, or the monsters it's fighting," a voice said. "We just know them as the Guardian of the Universe and the Shadows of Evil."
Slowly, Rei turned to see a man sitting on the bench, a hat on his knee. If she had to hazard a guess, he was pushing fifty years in age, and was Caucasian in appearance. American, most likely, based on the accent he had. His face was worn with age, and he had close-cropped brown hair. The surface of his mind seemed calm enough, but she could sense some kind of turbulence beneath it. Nothing dangerous, but pained.
"You seem well-read on the matter," she said.
The man shrugged. "I'm not a leading expert or anything. But I am a studious man, a meticulous one."
"Who are you, if I may ask?"
"It's not really important who I am," the man replied. "I'm just a messenger. But you can call me Joe."
"Joe," she repeated. "You say you are a messenger. What is the message?"
"Well, there's not much to it. A guy like me, well, he knows when other relics are gone. Rumor around the grapevine is that Professor Chujo disappeared not too long ago, and that same grapevine told me that you were the last person to visit him."
"Are you investigating his disappearance?" she asked.
"No," he replied, and she knew that was the truth. "I'm here because it seems you're following in his footsteps, going on a quest for answers."
Rei's breath caught. Her fist tightened around the stone in her pocket.
"The grapevine seems happy about that," Joe said. "If you ever want more answers, then you know who to come to."
He stood up, and handed her a blank card. "I think this is the last time we'll meet each other, Miss Ayanami. I wish you good luck."
The man put on his hat, and gave her a little bow, before walking towards the far exit. Rei stared at him for a few moments, then looked down at the blank card. Was it something hidden, such as invisible ink? No, that might prove risky. There had to be something about it that'd tell her, and not others.
It was more of a random action than anything else, propelled by instinct that was not her own. She leaned down and sniffed the card, and realized there was a scent on it. She closed her eyes and searched her memories, trying to pinpoint it.
There. The scent was that of mud, along with something else, at the foothills of Mt. Fuji, where she'd found the egg.
She realized her hand was trembling, and willed it to cease. She crumpled the card in her hand, and quickly popped it in her mouth, chewing it up.
"I thought no food was allowed in here?" a familiar voice asked.
Rei turned to see Kensuke standing nearby, looking a bit nervous. The otaku, coughed, then spoke again.
"Uh, the others are in the food-court, waiting for you. We got you a snack, but we don't know what you like, so..."
Rei bowed her head. "Thank you, Classmate Aida."
"D-don't mention it," the otaku said, blushing. He awkwardly scanned the room, then paused. "Say, is that Dr. Brody?"
Rei followed his gaze, and saw Joe disappear behind a corner.
"You know that man?" she asked.
"Well, I think he's an English teacher in Tokyo-2. He tutored my dad." Kensuke spoke in a lower voice. "I hear he lost his family in Second Impact."
"I see," Rei said. "Now, let us regroup with the others. I am feeling rather hungry."
"Sure thing."
They walked out of the exhibit, heading to the food court. Discreetly, Rei took the crumpled card out of her mouth and dropped it in a rubbish bin.
==/*\==
Tokyo-3 High School
Shinji stepped off the bus, yawning. They'd spent all day in the museum, checking out all the exhibits, from the Edo Period to a memorial for the Simeon Invasion. They'd even stopped in the theater to watch a movie, which Asuka felt was dull.
He watched Rei walk into the distance, and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
I think you're in the clear, Hayata.
Thank you, Shinji. It's unusual, having to stay so quiet for such a time.
Did you at least enjoy your time at the museum?
I did, immensely. And I am glad you did not blunder too much with your attempts at courtship.
Shinji stopped. Courtship?!
Was your interaction with the Soryhu girl not how humans court each other?
No, it wasn't like that.
Hmm.
Shinji frowned. I think I'm lucky you couldn't play peanut gallery back there.
Peanut gallery?
Forget it.
Shinji sighed, and looked at the sky. It was a beautiful summer sunset this night, painting the sky a stunning hue of orange. He'd enjoyed himself at the museum, all things considered, even though Asuka had nearly throttled his friends on numerous occasions.
This was a good day.
And then the Angel alarm blared.
==/*\==
You have been reading:
Leviathan, Chapter Eleven: History Lessons
