Wandering Pilot

by Mercaba

Waking up in an open field a weary pilot finds a trio of shapes moving in the distance, following them a whole new and adventure awaits them all

25. Chapter 25

Standard Disclaimer

Been sick for awhile now, finally getting better. Work has been grueling with me working extra hours so time for writing is bad. But its getting better and I'm here with the first of the few Tokyo-3 chapters! Remember I'm going more for 'realistic' so this chapter is a bit of the whole 'culture shock' element. On the lighter side I'm trying to get a house! Wish me luck.

X-X

Wandering Pilot

Chapter – 25

"Alright, looks like you're just a little lower than your last time, Shinji. You can get out, clean yourself off, and I'll see you in the break room in about a half hour," Misato tried to keep her voice steady. Just looking at that face, the lack of all warmth, Misato was torn! To tell him or not to tell him, she didn't know. On one side, Ritsuko had a point that maybe keeping those odd women a secret was a good idea. But she didn't want to, if just to get Shinji to smile a little more. His haunted expression the day before when she brought him his food, it never went away. But he didn't tell her why, outside of those names. Watching Shinji climb out of the test plug, she did smile a little when Asuka met him at the door, "Unexpected."

Reading her monitor, Ritsuko touched the screen in a few places with a pensive look yet only made non-committal noises. When Misato actually put her hand on the woman's shoulder did Ritsuko break from her little daze. "Oh sorry, these readings are…they're different than before. His bio-rhythms are all different. Physically speaking he's so drastically improved. Cardiovascular, muscular, and even some of the damage from the Fifth's angel is gone. That is impossible for the time he was gone," she just couldn't keep the frustration out of her body language.

"Maybe those women were telling the truth then and he's been with them for months," Misato couldn't believe she was starting to accept that insane premise. Only once, she only talked to those women one time, and that was enough for Misato to never want to again. They weren't speaking Japanese, Misato knew that, but their words were morphing in her mind so she could understand it. It felt greasy in her mind, an oil slick on her sanity. Magic, such things were impossible! Hunching over the chair, Misato gripped it hard, "Would explain how that Nanael one literally vanished from the cell."

Checking the room real quick for anybody else that might be listening, Ritsuko had put the rule of keeping the imprisoned women a secret. Only the higher ups, Asuka, and the security guards knew that Shinji's entry plug had more than one occupant. Asuka had been the one to take out the plug and open it, only reason why she knew of them. "Look, nobody saw that 'angel' vanish first hand. We only saw it from the security camera. Everything else could just be…gross DNA manipulation?" she always reached for a scientific answer.

"So that Tiina girl's fishtail is the newest fad in cosmetic surgery?" Misato might not be the smartest person, but she was not an idiot. Pacing in the room, she feared what those women knew. The human mind rebelled against things that were foreign to its nature, tried to make it something it could accept and believe in. Yet the harder she thought about Shinji's little travel mates, the harder her head ached. Forget the fact the fish girl was perpetually moist, made the security guards very distracted, Misato hated how Ritsuko just didn't try to accept it. "Maybe they're telling the truth. As hard as it is for us to accept, maybe what they're telling us is real," she crushing reality of it was massive.

Worlds existed beyond their own. Worlds that employed magic, had mystical beings from stories and games. And Shinji might have gone to it. He met some odd collection of women, impossibly beautiful women, with drastically different personalities and abilities. And those women alluded that not only did Shinji gain some new sort of ability, and it wasn't all smiles and roses. What happened to him, what were those women not telling? That's what kept Misato away from them, made her afraid. What could have happened to Shinji in this odd place? Gainos, what sort of name is that for a world anyway?

"Listen to yourself Misato? Just listen to what you're saying," Ritsuko ordered as she spun. Dark circles under her eyes, commander's orders to learn all she could about the strangers and Shinji kept the good doctor awake long beyond her capacity. Drinking more coffee, she yawned big and loud, "There has to be a scientific answer for what we've seen. I've just haven't had the chance to find it yet. Magic is scientifically impossible, Misato. Three days, Shinji was gone for three days, and whoever took him used drugs and hypnotic suggestion on him."

If that was true, why had Commander Ikari forbade Shinji from talking to Ayanami, Misato wanted to ask. 'He left his wife to save everybody.' Misato remembered the pale girl with the purplish hair saying. Rei was an angel? If you told her the right phrase, the attacks would stop. Sounded insane, but the brunette in the reveling red dress had a ring that moved on its own and made fire! For somebody not believing what the strangers were saying, why did they believe that one part and keep Shinji away from Rei?

Checking her watch, she could head to the break room and wait for Shinji there, Misato popped a crick in her shoulder. "Where IS Ayanami, Ritsuko?" the unasked question was in the air. Why were they keeping Shinji and Rei apart, they were friends weren't they?

"Commander's orders, if Ikari-kun has been compromised he might have been programmed to attack. Since Asuka doesn't listen to us and already following him around, we just have to keep eyes on them," Ritsuko rubbed at her eyes. So tired, the woman was on the last leg of exhaustion and tittering on the brink of falling over. Knocking her cup over, thankfully it was mostly empty, she swore loudly, "Fuck it! Misato, just take him home and keep an eye on him. We'll see the truth soon enough."

To continue arguing or to just let it go for now, Misato retreated lest she push things to far. Ritsuko was speaking from a logical position, where her mind wanted to be. Yet her brain was different than Ritsuko's, she could accept the bizarre easier than the scientist. "Get some sleep Ritsuko. Maybe we should try talking to them again rather than keeping them under guard," Misato waved offhandedly as she left the room. The women weren't in a jail cell, a converted on-site apartment, with guards outside the only entrance. Under twenty-four hour surveillance, they were playing the part of being technically limited perfectly.

"If they're telling the truth, he has a wife?" Misato couldn't believe that! Finding the break room empty, Misato plopped down on the bench and leaned against the wall. "The timid and shy boy I've come to know with a wife? I can't see it," that was the sticking point for Misato. That Shizuka woman said Shinji left his wife to save them, but Shinji couldn't look a girl in the eye without blushing, how could he be married? Coldness wrapped around her chest, if it was real…if they were telling the truth what did that mean? Going over all the points she heard and knew first hand, Misato lost track of time.

Asuka's rich voice filled the corridor signaling her imminent arrival, "Stop dragging your feet. I want to get home and have some good food for a change. So you better be ready to cook me something good." Somehow the words weren't angry or demanding, more worried mixed with joy. Oh how Misato remembered seeing that girl mask her fear poorly the day after the angel vanished from sight. "See she's waiting already," Asuka grabbed Shinji's shoulder and gave it a shove.

"S-sorry just still pretty tired. I don't know why either," Shinji shambled forward due to Asuka's little exuberance. Standing a little taller than Misato remembered, now an inch taller than Asuka, Shinji had a small smile on his face that warmed when he saw Misato. Rubbing at his stomach, "I'm hungry too, but could we order out today instead? I don't think I can…cook today."

Off the bench and over to Shinji in seconds, Misato wrapped him in a hug. She nearly lost him in that last angel, maybe she did if those women were right, but right now he was safe in her arms. Ruffling his hair, she noticed he didn't react the same way as before, "I think we can suffer another day of delivery. A victory party for your little wayward pilot. We'll start cracking the wipe on you tomorrow though." She let her finger go under his chin and flip it up. His eyes got glassy at it, such a simple thing and he was so moved. Another point in the bucket Misato wanted empty.

"Don't go spoiling him! He makes a big mistake because his score WAS a little higher than mine. Scares us all, vanishes, and then makes such a giant mess when he comes back? He needs punishment," Asuka forced Misato and Shinji apart. Standing between the two, Asuka actually glared at Misato for a moment. Spinning back on Shinji, her finger jutted out to his throat, "Tomorrow though, you make me breakfast."

Actually laughing, Shinji followed behind to the two women at a slow pace. Shifting in his clothing every so often he kept tugging at the fabrics. "I think I can try doing that, Asuka. Anything you want Misato-san?" Shinji leaned a little forward. Maybe Asuka didn't see it, not knowing Shinji's tells as well, but Misato just knew something was eating the kid alive. Masking his worries, putting that accommodating and quick to change topics away from him, Shinji was alive with tells.

"Anything you make will be fine, Shinji. And…" Misato stopped herself. Talking about this with Asuka around wouldn't do. Shinji would deflect or the suddenly very attentive little Soryu would keep him from saying anything. When he was alone, that's when Misato would talk to him. Get him to tell her about his side of things. Letting Asuka fill the air with her non-stop recounting of the last few days for Shinji's benefit, Misato couldn't believe what she was seeing. Asuka was so close to Shinji and he wasn't nearly as bothered as he was a week ago. A week for her, maybe months for Shinji.

Turning off her emotional mind, Misato let her tactical one take over for her as they drove home. Personality shifts, unfamiliarity with normally accustomed things, and that constant irritated twitch Shinji had, Misato saw it all. Drugs couldn't do that, not if they only had three days, and the toxicology report was pristine! Shinji's blood work was spotless, better than previous reports even. Lowered cholesterol, slightly higher sodium, and far different. They weren't lying, those women were telling the truth and Ritsuko was just in denial.

"Welcome home, Shinji-kun, little messier than you left it," Misato opened the door and let him walk in first. Asuka brushed past both of them, siting she was going to call for food, but Misato watched. He went slowly, taking everything in for the first time again. Months, it had been months for Shinji since was last here. Yet Misato was lying to him! Making him think it was all in his head…it was wrong of her. Putting her hands on his shoulders, Misato cringed when he jumped at her touch, "Shinji-kun…just relax and let it come naturally to you alright. You had an incident, but we're here for you, I'm here for you. And when you want to talk, anytime just come to me." She hugged him, and was stunned when he put a hand on her arm and nodded. He was different, changed. But how much, and for better or ill, Misato didn't know yet.

After a few moments of just basking in Misato's hug, Shinji freed himself and forced himself to face her. "I can't believe it was all a dream, Misato-san. I…everything that happened. I just can't accept it didn't happen," the question was asked without words. He was asking Misato to confirm or deny it again. Sniffing hard and rubbing his arm under his nose, "Ritsuko-san said it was…asphyxiation playing with my mind. A dream, but it felt so real!"

Orders, she was ordered to keep the dream excuse alive, but she didn't want to! Asuka and she both were to keep him in the dark about the women in captivity, to make him think nothing happened. "I'm sure it did, Shinji-kun, I'm sure it did. What happened to you, I wish it didn't happen. But we'll see you through it alright?" she gave him another quick hug to keep him from seeing her conflicted emotions. If he saw doubt, it would only make him doubt more.

Letting him go back to Asuka, Misato watched the pair all night. Each little thing that she saw gave more credence to the idea he'd been gone ages longer than three days. He didn't know what drawer the chopsticks were in, what station the shows he watched were on, small things…little things. Just how anybody would be after being gone for a long time. Asuka kept him from being to lost, Misato though couldn't keep her mind at ease. Tomorrow, she'd talk to those women tomorrow about what they claim happened. If she had more information, maybe she could help Shinji come to terms with the shift better. He was home now, and after they found out what to do with those women, it would be the end of it.

After a rather long and eerily vocal evening from Asuka, she kept Shinji active all night, Misato found herself lying awake in her bed. Sleep just wouldn't come to her, fourth night of being sleepless, only now she had a different reason. Fearing Shinji dead in the belly of some Angel, she cried herself to sleep the first night and then just lay there for the others. Then he came back, but not alone, and now she was trying to come to terms with her orders. When she heard the shuffling outside her door, she jerked up and reached about wildly. Knocking Pen-Pen awake, the bird warked and the figure outside her door stopped. Once Pen-Pen stopped, Misato heard the footfalls again.

"Bathroom or something else," Misato got out of her futon. Depression did terrible things to people, and Misato would NOT let it take Shinji from her. Slowly, she stalked to her door and opened it as soundlessly as possible. Out on the veranda she could see a body, without the long hair meant she was stalking the lone male in the apartment. Shaggier hair too, he was needing a little cut soon. "What are you doing up, Shinji-kun," she asked to herself. Just observing him for now, she was ready to act if he made any indication he was going to jump.

Out on the veranda though, Shinji just looked up at the night sky and let out a mournful better laugh. More sob than giggle, Shinji, "Leina-san…Alleyne…" he shook his head hard, "I miss you." Crumpling down against the cement divide, Shinji just sat there for a good twenty minutes before getting back up and shuffling off to his room.

All of it, Misato watched it all. "Who is this Leina Alleyne person?" Misato wondered, was that his wife? Shinji's wife, gods, something Misato never thought she'd have to think about for a good number of years. Standing outside his room, she listened to him toss and turn and finally go to sleep. Asuka slept the sleep of the just, a content smile on her face Misato saw. Back in her own bed, she had her first question for those women. And based on what they said, Misato might just have to break her orders.

X-X

Waking with a lurch, Shinji grabbed at his sheets and panted hard. Nightmares, still with the nightmares! Only this was just him being hunted by that face made of fire. Sitting up, reaching over for Leina, his hand bounced off his wall instead. The pain helped him to wake up and see the glow of his alarm clock, only five in the morning. "Maybe they couldn't come," Shinji swung his legs over the side of the bed. That had to be it, Nanael had been wrong about how to bring the others through the portal. He refused to believe it had been a dream, call him insane if you liked he'd never disbelieve.

"But I can't prove any of it," he looked at his hands and flexed them. His powers of healing, did he still have them? Getting out of bed, he put on some fresh cloths and took in the alien feel of everything. How odd, it only took a few months to forget the blessings of his own world. Grabbing the doorframe, he stopped and took a few calming breaths. How was everybody else doing, good he hoped. How much time had actually passed over there, were they good? Where they waiting for him to come back…how long until they stopped?

Heading into the dirty apartment, Shinji mulled about picking up after his flat mates. They didn't change, they had been safe and those dreams he had were lies. "I'm so glad," all his fears were without merit. The reunion, he had wanted to introduce everybody to Misato, maybe have them meet Asuka too. Would they have gotten along? After he cleaned up the living room, more an exercise in remembering where everything was at. Grabbing the old newspaper, he sat and read, "I forgot all of this." When his hand started to tremble, he willed it to stop. To relax would be to break down, to drown in bitterness and loneliness again. Those true friends, honest companions, they were gone and it wasn't like he could find that angel to teleport back again.

"Keep it together, don't cry, not now," he clenched his eyes shut hard. If he started now both Asuka and Misato would hear and come to see. They'd push the idea that it was all a delusion, a variant of his life flashing before his eyes. His breath was even stuttering, "I'm fine…fine. Maybe if I talk to Ayanami I can prove everything." If he used his powers they'd have to believe him! But if they failed, if he tried to heal somebody and it didn't work…would that prove it HAD been all a dream? "Nanael-san said we were a world that didn't have much magic," he set the paper down, didn't notice how he tore it.

With the sun streaming in the window, Pen-Pen waddled out of Misato's room and warked. "Breakfast for everybody, right," Shinji sniffed and kept back his tears again. Last night he broke down, thankfully nobody had seen him. Last thing he wanted was for somebody to try and get him to talk about it. So much happened in Gainos, good and bad, he wouldn't know where to start. Following Pen-Pen into the kitchen, Shinji re-familiarized himself with the placement of his tools. Hands occupied, mind occupied, and no hyperventilating! Alleyne would give him such a poor score for being so emotional! Pulling out the ingredients, "But while I'm here…they're forgetting about me. M-moving on. They're supposed to be here."

"Wark!" Pen-Pen squawked at Shinji's side when the avian saw the tin of sardines in his hand. The smart bird flapped its wings and knocked the tin from the boy's hands, scooped it up and waddled off to dine.

Dabbing his eyes, Shinji felt that familiar sting he'd been feeling ever since he realized he came alone. "It's great to see everybody is safe, but…" it wasn't how things were supposed to go. Cooking up a storm, his hands were just as skilled now as they had been before. His time cooking with lesser quality tools and ingredients made him appreciate what he had now all the more. "Meeting with Touji and Kensuke today, was hoping to heal Mari-chan but…" his hands, did they have that cursed power now?

"You're up already?" Asuka asked shuffling into the kitchen in her fluffy red robe. Actually coming up behind the boy and peeking over his shoulder, she hummed contently. With a twirl, her robe brushing against Shinji's leg, "Now this is more like it. A good breakfast is the best way to start a day off. When are those spores going to be over, I don't intend to be here for it?" Her coffee mug in hand she helped herself to some of the pot already waiting for her.

For a moment he panicked, she'd notice and everything would fall apart before he could get a firm grip on it! But when he heard the chair pull out, he signed. Salvaging the food as best he could, his lapse into anxiety didn't ruin it. "Couldn't sleep to well, bad dreams," she'd never ask about it, she never did so why lie. Fixing her up a plate and one for himself, he put the heat down to simmer so Misato's was still fresh when she opted to wake. Handing Asuka hers, he saw the question bubble up in her eyes then vanish, "Cleaned up the apartment a little to. Touji and Kensuke are going to get here around ten. So I'll have time for laundry if you need me to get any done."

"So we've a few hours before they get here," Asuka mumbled to herself before sampling the dish. Her hand fell away from the chopsticks and her eyes fluttered, "Wow you…this is a lot better!" Eating with gusto, the every passionate German danced over her plate sampling all of the different things. "When did you get so much better with western breakfast foods?" she stopped eating to ask.

Well he got a lot better cooking in inns across the country side and the capital for several months. She'd not accept that so he just went with, "Well I paid more attention to it today I guess. So what are you planning to do today?" She had already told him about what happened while he was in the angel, so he didn't want to relieve that pain. Picking at his own food, he wasn't quite hungry, but he choked it down.

Swishing down her breakfast with her coffee, Asuka paused and ran her finger over the rim of the cup. "Probably talk with Hikari, go out shopping or something," something was toying with her, bugging her. Girl had that flicker in her eye that promised either pleasure or pain for Shinji, all this time and he could still recognize that twitch. A piece of her omelet hung in the air, "Say Shinji, tell me about that dream you had? You told Misato right, tell me."

"W-why do you want to know something like that?" Shinji stammered. The cup in his hand surged in from his jerk and knocked the bottle of soy sauce over and made a nice little mess. Misato had made a point to NOT mention his dream outside of it was over. Finding everything but Asuka more fitting to focus on, his head danced about the room, "Not much to say really. Dreams are…dreams you know."

Cold and calculated, Asuka just set her cup down and leaned forward. Resting her chin on her crossed hands, the cat that ate the canary, "You can't say it like that and expect me NOT to want details! You were dreaming for days, come on entertain me! It's boring, and..." For a moment the impish look vanished, the venire dropped away and the honest concern peeked through like a child behind a set of curtains, "So come on spill. Might do you good."

"Well if you want to know I guess I could tell you the abridged version," Shinji righted what he knocked over. Concern, that was honest concern he saw for a moment! Being with Leina and the others made understanding women just a trifle bit easier, or at least seeing past the fake fronts. Elina was a lot harder to read than Asuka, and a lot harder to like, and Shizuka's masks were exquisitely crafted to mask all emotion so this was something else! Hearing the sound of Misato waking, lulled by the smell of fresh fruits and breakfast confections, "You want to hear now or without Misato-san around?" Asuka would never relax with Misato around, just like Alleyne some people can't let their guard down in public.

Hearing the approaching woman, Asuka's mouth opened and shut as a quizzical expression crested her brow. Following the sound of Misato's approach with her head, "When did you get so sneaky? And yeah, you'll tell me about this after your stooge friends leave and she's at Nerv." Grabbing her mug, Asuka shuffled off to the bathroom for her morning routine.

"Yes your highness," Shinji snickered at the shut door, just like Menace-sama. Asuka was an odd amalgam of some of those wonderful women he left behind. Haughty and proud like Menace, sadistic and calculating like Elina, and soft and guarded like Alleyne. Damn eyes were stinging again, but he fought it down by the time Misato shambled into the room, "Morning, Misato-san, sleep well?" Keep focus off him, keep it moving and away from his own issues.

Grabbing her waiting can of Yebisu, Shinji would never forget that, Misato's zombie like gaunt complexion didn't vanish until the whole can was chugged. With her patented whooping cheer, she woman reached across the table and patted Shinji's head, "Oh man you know how I like to start the day, Shinji-kun!" Falling back into her chair, she sat cross legged and reached for the second can that was still chilled and waiting. Enjoying this one slower, "Princess already in the bath? She's been a pill since your little disappearing act."

Dashing out of his chair to the stove, Shinji assembled Misato's breakfast hastily. "She's going to be off with Hokari-san, and since you work today best to get in quick I guess," Shinji handed her the plate and eyed the door. Maybe he could escape this, talking to Misato. Would it be like Asuka, would Misato press for details about his time in Gainos, calling it a dream. But then he saw it, Misato eyed him over the rim of her can and looked expectantly to the chair, an unspoken request. Either he sit of his own volition or she'd make an issue of it. Owing up to fate, he sat back down, "You don't mind of Touji and Kensuke come over today do you? They called last night to ask if they could."

"As long as you keep them out of places they shouldn't go, they're fine. Do you good," Misato rolled the can between her palms. Just like Asuka, Misato had that air about her screaming for more details. Only Misato was more skilled about going about getting it. Motherly at times like Cattleya, teasing nature of Risty on good days and Echidna on bad, and the tactical mind of Claudette the woman was not something to take lightly. Picking at her food, she paused after the first bite and then assaulted it, "You sleep good, no dreams or anything. You can talk to me about them if you want. I want you to, when you're ready." The offer was placed, no demand, so apparently the motherly side of Misato won out for now.

Nodding and taking his plates to the sink, Shinji just nodded and scampered off to his room. It was happening again, being surrounded emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. They meant well, and he accepted that, but they didn't understand. How could they? Insane, they'd call him insane for his belief that it was real. Gone, it was all gone. Sure he'd keep trying to find Ayanami, invoke the right to end the challenges as Nanael mentioned. And if it worked plead with his, dare he call her friend, acquaintance to send him back. If she didn't or couldn't, that was the end of it. Without an angel, the winged or unnatural, he had no way back to the world he wished to go back to.

Hearing the apartment moving about, a small fight between Asuka and Misato about something he couldn't hear was the only proof he wasn't alone. First it was Misato calling out she was going, then Asuka a little while later. Alone in the apartment, Shinji idly flipped through his school books. It didn't take long to remember what he had learned from school. Rusty of course, but not gone. "Nowa would do good to have something like this," he shut the book and tried to shut the memories out. He couldn't of course, they battered his psyche with hopes, dreams, and pleasant memories. The clock ticked away and with it the knowledge that a minute here was far more for those on the other side.

He embarrassed himself horribly when Touji and Kensuke did show up, boys weren't supposed to hug other boys. But Shinji did, they had been his best friends until he met the Leina and the others. Thankfully the events from the angel were easily blamed for his rather dramatic welcome. After that oddity, the welcome home party for the boy started in earnest. Video games, Shinji have lost all skill with them and being thoroughly trashed, junk food, and some movies Touji brought over. A great reunion, not that the two other boys knew how important it was for Shinji. To them it was a victory celebration for another angel down, for Shinji a long awaited meeting.

"See you in school tomorrow, Shin-man. Thanks again for everything, and Mari-chan is wanting you to visit again," Touji called out as the door shut on the two.

Tomorrow, an endless sea of tomorrows where those important to him were somewhere far away. Cleaning up the little mess that was made, Shinji fell onto the couch and turned off the DVD player and back to the news. Mumbling, "In a month or two how much time will have passed?" that's what stung the most. They fought so hard to get their happiness, against lords, nobles, slavers, and the Swamp Witch and his reward was going home. It had been his initial hope, after he learned he was actually alive, but it changed over the course of the journey. Alone, he could cook a simple supper or a bigger one for the eventual return of Asuka and Misato, or he could have another break down.

"It's only been a few days but I miss them," Shinji felt his shoulder twitch as he started to lower the walls down. Had to get it out quick or he'd be seen and…he felt a hand on his shoulder. Thin and long fingers, a girl's hand, then he felt the couch cushion shift as somebody sat next to him. Eyes going wide, breath hung in his mouth, he saw Asuka gazing into his eyes with concern he'd never noticed before, "A-Asuka? I didn't hear the door!" When had she gotten here, when had she got in?

Grabbing his hand awkwardly and unfamiliarly, Asuka was firm yet friendly, "I called it off. Needed to see how you were really doing, baka. Listened to you and those idiots all day. Now you tell me what is bringing this all on." Asuka increased her grip, no escape for her captive unless he chewed is arm off.

"D-don't tell anybody else, they'd…you'll think I'm crazy," Shinji started. He just couldn't keep it in though, he had to tell somebody about it or it would never cease consuming him. So for the next two hours Shinji told his slightly condensed and edited story. Asuka didn't need to know how close he came to some of those lovely women, she'd just call him a pervert or something, but one point she forced out of him. The cave, he tried to gloss over Melona's cave yet Asuka honed in on it and forced it out. From arrival to escape, Shinji told while they sat and for a brief time he cooked and they ate. No talks of marriages or quasi-marriages was given to keep his cheeks from blooming or being smacked, but the friendships and allies made where.

When he had finished, Asuka sat there with closed eyes. "That's…a lot to take in. A whole lot to take in, but Shinji…" the door opened and Misato's welcoming call interrupted them. With a sigh and a head dip, "Go see her, she'll be fawning all over you one way or the other." She pushed the boy off to see Misato.

Better, he felt better to have at least told somebody and they didn't immediately laugh at him. But to think Asuka would have been the one, he never would have. Maybe he had been wrong about her, maybe he had been wrong about a lot of things. But before the trip across the wilds, he had been a different person. Now, now he had to learn how to adapt again, if he couldn't go back that was.

X-X

Pacing the room for the umpteenth time, Shizuka didn't know how to take her current predicament. Several days of incarceration in the nicest prison cell she'd ever been in, also the forth so maybe there wasn't much comparison. Definitely not how she expected her arrival in Shinji's world to be. So many of the devices they saw he had explained vaguely to them over the nights spent sleeping under the stars, didn't help them to use them though. Standing in what they learned was the restroom, Shizuka helped herself to another glass of water.

"Never knew water could be so clear and sweet," the ninja asked before drinking it down. She could do without the odd sound that came from the lights, but it was far easier than magic or fire that was for sure. "Don't know how Shinji could adapt so well from going from this to how we had things," she said to her fellow prisoners. Their cell was made up of four rooms with only one door among them that separated the toilet from the rest. Nyx and Tiina slept in one room while Shizuka and Echidna took the other. Nanael had opted to head back to the heavens to tell the others about their comrades about the situation, or so she said.

Drawing back the curtain to the bath, Echidna lazily looked up at the pale woman, "Oh what? Yeah this place is just made to make you lazy and complacent. The wonders of technology." The wild elf pulled the wet cloth back over her eyes and continued to work tension out of herself and moan sensuously. Kelta swam along the top of the steaming bathwater. Petting her snake idly, "Make any progress in finding a way out of here?"

"How can you do that now? We've came here to save these people and they keep us in this place! We don't even know what they've done to Shinji!" Shizuka whirled around. Was she the only one not fixated on the newness of this world and fixated on the real reason they were there? A dream of Tomoe in trouble, Shizuka hated dreams like that! Thankfully in the dream her being there gave the Miko the power to win over her ordeal. The glass in her hand cracked under the strain of her hand, things here were really fragile, "Nyx is incensed with those books, Tiina mesmerized by that odd box, and you've been in that bath all the time!"

Standing up, the water spilling all down her in rivulets, Kelta swimming to her leg and taking his customary place, she giggled. "So I take it you've not found a way out of here," she grabbed one of the towels and cooed as she dabbed it against herself. Using the end of the towel as a shawl, Echidna teased Shizuka by batting it around expertly. Picking up her armor, she shrugged, and put it back down. "We've accepted that until they want to let us out or talk to us we're at there mercy. Said mercy is quite delightful, which you'd realize if you relax. These towels are so fluffy. Wait…" Echidna went from playful to serious and went to the mirror and stared at it intensely.

"Wait for what!" Shizuka was actually startled from the shift. Echidna hardly acted seriously, and to go from so mocking to intense put Shizuka off her stride. And how was she supposed to relax, they didn't know where Shinji was, Nanael was gone, and they were surrounded by strange things they didn't understand! A bad situation if she ever saw one, not something she could just slide by! When Echidna put hand up and shushed her that got Shizuka's ire up. Actually trembling in rage, "Don't tell me to be quiet! Nanael said she'd be back once Shinji talks to the angel that can save his people. I don't see her, so that means…I don't know but I don't like it!"

Tapping on the glass mirror, Echidna laughed and gave herself a nice grope. "You know that fake blond woman that takes blood from us with those tools?" Echidna sauntered over to her armor and actually put it on finally. Batting at Shizuka who was pulsating at the door, Echidna joined Tiina in the communal room. It featured a plush couch, a leather chair, and a television not that they knew the names as such. Sitting by Tiina, wrapping an arm around the concentrating woman's shoulders, "I overheard her on the other side of that glass. Puppy's been taken to his home, and being lied to about us. They're making him think it was a dream. The woman he lives with is going to see us today."

"Wait…other side of the mirror?" Tiina squirmed under Echidna's embrace. Dripping over the expensive seating, the mermaid dropped the remote she had learned how to use. Her finger went to her mouth, "E-Echidna please it's hard to concentrate…d-do-don't…." The hand groping her chest continued to fondle without care until her eyes scrunched up and her legs popped back to a fish tail. Pouting and throwing Echidna's hand off, "There is so little magic here its hard to keep my legs! And what was this about people behind the mirror?"

Sitting in the chair, Shizuka grabbed one of the few magazines provided, she flipped through it and vaguely understood the words. Peeking over the glossy paper, it was so slick and different than their scrolls, "I thought I heard sounds in there. They're watching us?" They were at a massive disadvantage here in terms of knowledge and technology. Normal locks she'd have picked ages ago, the one on the door here she didn't even understand how it worked to get started!

"Of course they've been since day one!" Echidna laughed and flicked the water she got from Tiina off her hand. Running a finger along the scaled tail she was fixated in the moving fish-bits. Putting her legs up on the table, she rested her head back on the couch. Rolling her head to the side to look at the reading Nyx, "There is always at least two people watching us. One solder and one scholar by the sounds of their talking. That blond is the superior here and she's worried about us. Though she did say Puppy woke up earlier than we did. Guess the lack of magic here kept us sleeping longer."

He was safe, he was with his companions here, that made Shizuka relax. "You said they're going to try talking to us today? The longer we stay here the worse things might get for Tomoe-san," Shizuka wanted to ease that girl's troubles. That ploy was needed to get the timid Miko to accept her mantle, to give her the strength Tomoe needed to reign over them. Now though Shizuka could go back to her friend and relieve that guilt. Plus she had WANTED to enjoy her time in this place, and with her favorite little man, not sit in an odd room. Tossing the magazine back, "Wait, you've been in that room all this time knowing they've been watching?! You were, when I went in there you were…"

Rolling onto her side, kicking her legs up on Tiina's tail, Echidna ignored the mermaid's cries of annoyance. "Well I have to try and get my fun somehow. And listening to them salivating on the other side of the glass is great. If I can get one of them to snap and try coming over," Echidna just rolled her hand over.

"But I can't have people look at me while I…I…that is wrong," Tiina fussed eventually relented to being Echidna's foot rest. Summoning the water ball, she just tossed it from one hand to the other in agitation. Gathering the remote again the tech-savvy woman flipped to a news station and pointed at it, "Amazing how they transfer information! It's like the view-globes but it uses electricity instead of magic. Yet they have so many images that don't make sense." Tiina had by far watched television the most, and had commented on everything from cooking shows, to sports, and nearly passed out when she saw an adult movie play.

Having lived in the dojo for most her life, Shizuka was used to being seen in less than her best. Though she didn't like it, it was something she had come to accept in life. Knowing Echidna was trying to entice a guard over to either fuck or kill left her feeling unnerved. Depression was starting to set in, it was a no-win situation. "Even if we get out of here. We'd never find him would we? The size of the city he said he lived in, and those weapons the guards have when that woman comes. Guns of a like we've hardly started to make," Shizuka hated no-win situations.

"We could contact him. These books I've been reading state the guards, sorry police here, will help find lost people. If we get out we could…find one of them and have them help us," Nyx said looking up from her stack of books. At the rate of one book per two hours, the timid lass was churning through the printed media they were given. Holding her hand out, her staff now a tiny coin sized crawling thing, wrapped around her finger, "As for the mirror, if they can see us, can we break through it?"

A metallic click and a hiss from the sole entry point to the room broke the conversation up. Sliding to the side, the door opened and a woman in a red jacket and a barrette much like Alleyne's walked into the room with an armed guard. "I would rather you didn't do anything drastic ladies. You should know that they HAVE been ordered only to watch when privacy isn't an issue. We've mostly been watching you through hidden camera's in the rooms," Misato told the troupe. With a hand wave to the man, he leaned against the wall pensively. "You can relax that thing Makoto, they're friends," it came off questioningly.

"If you say so, Katsuragi-san. But say the word and I'm good to go. As per orders tranq darts," the man, Makoto if Shizuka heard right, didn't look particularly accustomed to the weapon. She had to admit he was a bit cute.

Crossing her leg, intentionally flashing the man her cloth undergarments, Shizuka took from Echidna's book of flustering. "Katsuragi, Misato Katsuragi? The one that Shinji said was his guardian over here?" Shizuka heard that name more than once. A few times it was in stories Shinji told, others was nightmare visions from Shinji's plagued mind. Turning over the chair, she tossed small can at the reading Nyx, "Get over here girl. We'll need you for this too." Nyx was the smarter of the two polite girls, and putting this woman off might spell disaster.

Looking at Echidna who smiled and sat back up, Nyx alternated between the seat the wild elf was petting and the floor. With a heavy heart the girl sat down and was instantly wrapped up in Echidna's embrace. Said elf now had a handful of both Tiina and Nyx's chests. "Y-you said Misato? Shinji talked a lot about you while we were working. He was right you are beautiful," Nyx tried to keep from moaning.

"He-he talked about me?" Misato started with a faint flush, which she shook her head out of. Coughing into her palm, trying not to rise to Echidna's actions, the woman shifted in her seat to look more at Nyx and Shizuka. Hands crossed, "Never mind that for now. I'm here today to talk about you four. I would say five but your fifth seems to have…"

Scoffing Shizuka kicked her foot, "Nanael used her angelic heritage to go back to the heavens. You know how low ranking angels are. You have one overseeing that odd challenge thing right? You have let Shinji talk to the angel right?" That had to be wrong though, Nanael would be back if he had. So why was this woman here to talk to them? Good or bad, what was the purpose of this incarceration and the talk?

"She's here to talk to us about what happened to him, aren't you?" Tiina asked after flinching. Face fully flushed, Echidna's actions making for two very pronounced points under her white garb, her tail flapped around wildly. Knocking the table over with a crash, her panting increased as she tried to distance herself yet left a moisture trail. "S-sorry! I didn't mean to break it! It's just…just…what did you want to-to…"

"Stop that/What are you doing/Enough Echidna" Misato, Nyx, and Shizuka all called at the same time. Holding her hands up in defeat, Echidna made a point to dribble some of Tiina's moisture into her mouth and winked at Makoto. "Sorry, when I get nervous I get a bit feisty, and since we learned direct contact is needed for the teleport who knows what trouble Irma is getting into back home. Though I think I would love to take you to one of those rooms woman, sex is a great stress reliever. You've got a great body on you," she licked her lips again.

Nearly falling out of her chair, Misato's jacket shifted allowing Shizuka and Nyx to see she wasn't as defenseless as she wanted to appear. A weapon that looked bigger than the one the man at the door had hung at her side. Fixing herself in the chair, Misato leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees, "That's right. I want to know what happened to him since you first saw him. Tell me everything. Where you're from, what happened, why you're here. And if you could keep the molestations to a minimum and if you'd stop trying to solicit my friend and myself that would be lovely."

"Are you sure you want to hear everything? Not all of it is rosy and cheerful. Most of it in fact is quite harsh. Gainos is a harder place to live than this place I think, if this prison cell is any indication," Shizuka gestured to the extravagance around her. A cell was a cell, but this was more luxurious than any inn she'd stayed at. Pulling a knife out from one of her hidden pouches, she saw the look of fear on her face, "Tools of the trade," she said off handed and started to file her nails.

Her face going full red, eyes clenched shut in abstract concentration, Tiina formed her legs again with an audible pop and sigh. "I wasn't with Sir Shinji much, but he did save me from some slavers, and helped me so much," Tiina gushed. Pulling a pearl earring from her left lobe, an inch in size, she tossed it over to Misato. "It is customary to give a dowry when requesting to have one marry yes? As his guardian you'd be the person to ask correct?" Tiina opted to go off the rails of the conversation.

"D-dowry? Marriage?" Misato parroted as she twirled the expensive bauble in her hand. Setting it down amid the rubble of the table, she just dabbed her temple that was starting to sweat. Taking her hat off she tossed it to Makoto, "And yes, I am his guardian so I need to know everything. I've seen enough to believe you, not that everybody else will. So tell me what you know." Misato soon found herself overwhelmed with information.

Each woman told a story. What they knew of Shinji's exploits before they met him, how they interacted with him, and the events they knew of. Some was news for the residents of Gainos, but for the most part they were just talking to Misato and Makoto. Going into Shinji's love life made the man drop his gun and sputter out incredulously. The tale of Melona made Misato rush to a garbage pail and expunge her breakfast. Echidna helped Misato back to her chair, and to sample the wears, not that Misato could stop her. After it was all said and done, Misato's eyes were glassy and she was unreadable, "I'll see about getting you four out of here. I don't know where Ayanami is. But until I do…I can't bring him here. I have to…have to go now." The two residents of Tokyo-3 fled the room.

"Well, she did ask. It's never pretty when things like that happen. But we survived…we're better for it," Shizuka missed Shinji more than ever at that moment though. Stranded with women she didn't really know, her true friends either thinking she was dead or a dream, she felt powerfully lonely. That's when she felt Echidna's hand on hers, "W-wha?" Echidna moved in and gave the camera a good show as the two lonely women found a little solace.

X-X

"There you have it Gendo, those women are telling the same story as your son did yesterday. They tell a bit more detailed version I admit, but it's not hard to read between the lines of his account to allow for it," Kozo tugged at his collar. Pacing back and forth in front of Gendo's desk, the older man felt very uncomfortable. While he knew the necessity for it, spying on his subordinates never felt right to him. Yesterday's microphone recording of Shinji telling Asuka his edited version of his accounts, well it asked a few questions. Those few oddities were confirmed and added to by Katsuragi's questioning today. Gazing down at the arcane artwork on the floor, "What do we do now then?"

Seated at his desk, Gendo shut off the monitor, reclined in his chair, and pushed his glasses back up with a grunt. Reaching into his desk for something the sound of wood grinding on wood filled the air before he spoke, "We keep them separated at all times. Ayanami will be sequestered to base at all times. She'll have private testing, we can still keep…" Gendo shook as Kozo stomped his foot breaking the man's stride.

"That won't work and you know it, Gendo," Kozo was firm and apologetic. It wasn't that Kozo didn't understand what Gendo was planning or thinking, he just saw the futility of it. For years they had planned the betterment of humanity. From even before Second Impact the plan had been unfolding, first Seele's, then Yui's, and now Gendo's. But none of those plans took into account what they learned today. So much time and planning, the sacrifices made for the end, and the loss of life to reach their goal were for naught. Leaning over Gendo's desk, he grabbed the pulled out bottle of imported whisky, "Not only does your son know that phrase, but he told Soryu, and we both know Katsuragi will ask him about it."

Taking his glasses off, Gendo rubbed at his temples before slamming his palm down on the desk with a resounding slap. Barking out angrily, "We've come too far to stop now! Now that some oddity happened is no reason to pull up stakes now! All we have to do is…is…s-something." Broken, Gendo's head dipped to his chin and he slammed his palm a few more times in frustration. "We just can't give up on this! Yui is waiting…we can still try," but the fire was out, Gendo was no fool.

"Its over. For good or ill, somebody will say those words to Ayanami and whatever it means for our plans will happen," Kozo unscrewed the lid and poured two shots into the glasses. Picking up his, he looked at the amber liquid with sorrow. Never again would they see Yui, humanity wouldn't be unified, they had failed. Unless they were willing to remove two of the three pilots and the tactical head of the organization, a death knell, they'd suffer what that girl Nanael would bring. Tossing the fiery liquid down his throat he winced, "We have to accept it. Unless you can explain how that winged girl vanished, and the oddities Akagi is finding in those women."

Shoving the blood work and x-rays off the table, they spilled out everywhere noisily, Gendo took his drink as well. Standing up brusquely, Gendo yanked the bottle from Kozo's hand, "They could be tricks. Seele has done some strange things, we don't fully understand what Ayanami is, and as for that girl vanishing…" He petered out, people could only rebel against things they knew, if only vaguely. But what they saw from those cameras was beyond their ability to understand. Magic, true magic was not something they ever saw or understood and yet they saw it. Pouring himself another shot, "So what do we do then?"

Getting himself another drink as well, Kozo could already feel the effects. He didn't drink much, not at his age, so the potent fluid worked fast. Just holding it for the moment, "Well we let those women go first. After hearing both sides of that story, I feel we can allow it. Shinji-kun has suffered enough over there, in that Gainos place. It's wrong to keep a man from his wife." Kozo gave Gendo a knowing look. Wasn't trying to get Yui back both of their main goals since that terrible accident? Well now getting Yui back was impossible, so why keep Shinji from his own wife or was it wives?

"You do it, I'm not in the mood to see anything. And if we can't bring her back, I guess the next step is to set her free," Gendo held his glass out to Kozo. Red rimmed eyes and more tired than he looked in ages, Gendo would have kept his hand out for hours waiting for Kozo to share the drink. When the clinked together he instantly downed it, "Take care of everything regarding the Third Child and these women. I'll talk to Ayanami."

Joining Gendo in the salute to their failed dream, Kozo winced again as the burn went from throat to stomach. "Will you say goodbye to him when he leaves?" Kozo asked knowing the answer. He wasn't surprised when Gendo shook his head no. A father terrified of his son, a son terrified of his father. Both were far more alike than anybody other than he could ever know. Screwing the top back on the bottle, he hoped the man didn't drain the whole thing on his own. Leaving Gendo to mourn in private, Kozo headed out of the office and towards the temporary cell for the visitors.

"A world of magic and intrigue, an interesting place for Yui's child to end up," Kozo waxed. The tales he had heard about Shinji's absence did fill the old man with pride though. That boy was truly the child of Yui, bringing help and affecting all he came across. It wasn't without pain though, and Shinji wore that storm and survived it. "Damn proud of that kid," Kozo felt a sting in his eye but kept himself dry. Gendo's plan…their plan needed him to be broken and willing to accept the Third Impact, yet he overcame it all. "You're dismissed," Kozo sent the two guards at the door away. It was time to meet the quasi-in-laws.

Using his badge he unlocked the door permanently and strode in, seeing the brunette in the odd red dress, he waved, "Ah, you must be Nyx-kun, correct?" He peeked about for the others, wondering where they were hiding. Not seeing them he sat down as the timid girl eyed him wearily, "I don't mean you any harm. In fact I'm here to let you four go." He instantly felt two hands on his shoulders and tensed up. Firm grips, expectant holds, Kozo felt his heart lurch and his bladder tense up.

"Glad to hear that. Makes things easier for everybody," a smooth and silky voice to Kozo's left sang into his ear.

A small tickle of tongue to ear, far more stimulating than anything the old man had felt in ages, "But what if we want more than just to be turned out on the street. What if we want a little help?"

Seeing the blue haired mermaid peeking out from the doorframe, Kozo re-evaluated his plan. Just walking into this room without a big plan might have been a mistake. One at a time might have been better. "So you two must be Echidna and Shizuka," he started with the probing tongue and went to the honeyed voice. The two women, in one motion, jumped up and sat on the arm of the chair draping their legs over Kozo's keeping him in place. Had he been younger he'd have had quite the different reaction, "What help might you be needing? Likely more appropriate clothing for our city, some housing, or are you looking for somebody in particular?"

"C-clothing? What is wrong with our clothing?" Tiina asked as she walked into the room joining the others. Grabbing at the frilly hem of her very small dress, Tiina dripped everywhere she went as she sat down. Playing with an odd shell, "We might not have your typical attire, but these are royal robes, surely they are acceptable."

Running a hand across Kozo's chest, Echidna felt up the material of the uniform. "Sorry, old man, but I wore a uniform once and it didn't work well for me. I were my own now, and he loves his home," Echidna pet her hissing article of clothing. Grabbing Kozo's chin lightly, she wiggled the man's head, "And I think you know what we'd like to find."

"Shinji-kun, correct?" Kozo asked as his heart rate spiked. Wow if Shinji lived with these women he must have fast ride to adulthood! His little friend hadn't risen in years, and yet it was threatening to do so. Leaning away from the probing hands of the dark skinned woman, "As for your clothing…well I wasn't going to offer uniforms. I don't think we'd have ones that would fit some of you." Did that world specialize in large busts or something, Kozo wondered. The timid girl on the couch was the smallest and yet she was quite voluptuous.

Ruffling the man's hair, Shizuka spun off him and Echidna moved to sit in the man's lap wrapping her arms around his neck toyingly. Making a show to show her small dagger, she made it vanish with a flourish and a bow. They were showing who was in control here, and nobody was going to think otherwise. "Yes, we'd love to found that little cutie. As for my dress, I think I want to see him as I am now. Maybe we can get some new threads afterward," Shizuka bounced on her heels and was quite the metronome.

"C-could we leave now to see him? This place is new and strange to us. I'd like to have somebody I trust explain things to me," Nyx stood up and set her book down. A small gout of fire erupted from a ring around her left hand and she pinched it. Gazing at the ring, "I don't care what you think right now, you've hardly the power to do anything but annoy anybody!"

When the other women didn't comment to Nyx talking to her ring, Kozo let it slide as a known oddity. A demon that shrank in size due to the lack of magic in their world, amazing. His time as a teacher had opened his mind to alternative thinking, but this was something else. Not knowing where to put his hands, this woman was a wild animal, Kozo kept them over his head. "We can go whenever you are ready. I'll have a car ready anytime you like. Likely Shinji-kun is at school right now, so you've some time before he is released. Might I tempt you with a restaurant maybe something to drink?" these were Shinji's comrades in arms his friends.

"I humbly accept your offer. I Princess of the water realms will accept your pledge of fealty. Food, drink, and transport to where Sir Shinji is, would be much appreciated," Tiina bowed her head and her hair spilled everywhere. Water cascaded all over the women and the prone vice commander. When her head flung back the smile was truly regal and awe-inspiring. Practically singing, "I knew he wasn't telling us lies about the graciousness of his world."

Wiping his face clean of the water, it was slick and warm, Kozo finally succumb to the curse of males. It was that radiant smile, mimicked by Nyx and Shizuka that did it. Flustered as Echidna wiggled against it before sliding off like liquid, Kozo gazed at the lump as an adolescent would. "He spoke of us? I would have thought he'd have not much good to say of us. We did cause the poor man a lot of grief and pain in his life. But seeing you four, knowing of the others he left behind, it does my heart good. Now let's go and feast. Tell me about yourselves. I overheard you talking to Katsuragi-kun, but until I deliver you to see the young Ikari-kun I'd like to know more."

"Finally we are making some progress here. No offense to you, but we haven't had the most welcome of receptions here," Shizuka followed close to Kozo. Offering her hand out to the man, Shizuka shook it with a little extra force, "And he spoke of all of you. You took him for granted, abused him, and well I'm not so willing to just accept everything. But this is a start. You know are name, so why don't you tell us yours?"

"Kozo Fuyutski, my dear, and I agree," he said leading the women down the halls of Nerv, he radioed for a car to be pulled around, Kozo wasn't stunned to see everybody bewildered. Tech's, guards, and the like just gazed in wonder at the oddities that walked by them. Beauty mixed with the surreal, they'd be the talk of the base for quite a long time, and a few cellphone photos would be circulated for decades.

A large SUV was waiting for them when they got to the parking garage, and Kozo opened the door for the stunned women. A car must be new to them, so Kozo got in first to show it was safe. They talked of banal thing, mostly Kozo explaining the technological wonders that the women didn't understand. It took his Nerv badge to get the women past the gruff doorman at the restaurant due to 'dress regulations'. When the bill came, Kozo was glad he had a credit card as those women could all drink, and they drank richly. After the food and drink were had, Kozo took the inebriated women to the Katsuragi apartment and to the door. When it opened and he saw Shinji standing there…well Kozo felt air as they threw him out of the way and beset the poor boy instantly.

"You take care of this, Ikari-kun. And sorry for the deception, we'll tell you about the why later so don't blame Katsuragi. She was ordered to keep it secret," Kozo doubted Shinji even heard him. The reunion brought a tear to the old man's eye. Maybe this was for the best after all, maybe it was.

X-X

Holding a bag of junk food and drinks, Touji shook them all up as he waved at an unexpected girl standing at his destination. "Hey class-rep, you here for Shin-man's little party too?" he tried to not sound as excited as he felt. Something about those freckles and that hairstyle just did it for Touji. Nudging Kensuke in the side, the smaller boy was busy loading a new tape in his camera, "We were worried about how he looked yesterday at school so thought we'd have another little pick me up for him."

Waiting at the door, Hikari spun around and went wide eyed at the sudden arrival of her fellow classmates. "You can call me my name outside of class you know. I'm not the class representative all the time. And no, Asuka called me over. She wasn't in school today either if either of you cared to notice. Something odd happened and she wanted me over. After the oddities of that last angel, I don't know what it could mean," Hikari tugged on her hair bashfully.

"Yeah that angel really was different. Never had one just up and vanish before," Kensuke mumbled as he held the clean tape in his mouth. The friends of the pilots tried not to talk much about the angels much, cast fear on the survivability of said friends. When the angel vanished for three days, and nobody saw Shinji for it, well they all feared the worst. Upon the reemergence of the ball and its sudden destruction as Unit-01 tore through it, well they all felt a weight drop. Putting the new tape in, "You don't mind us being here do you?"

Pushing the call button again, Hikari swayed uncomfortably under Touji's steady gaze, "We'll try to stay out of your way. It doesn't sound like Asuka is very happy with Ikari-kun right now. If her call is any indication."

Touji wondered if Asuka was every happy, girl just screamed bitch all the time, twenty-four seven. Hoisting his bag of goodies, "We'll tend to the returning hero as you tend the bitter shrew." It was a real shame Asuka's personality didn't match her outer casing. Real beauty of a girl, but Touji just loathed the inner controller. When the door opened, Touji presented his present to the host, who was always Shinji since those women he lived with never deemed themselves worthy of manual labor. "Hey Shin-man, we come baring gifts!"

"He's out getting some food," Asuka barked after swiping the offering. Glaring from the doorframe, Asuka exuded an air of confusion and anger. With a flinch of her head, her hair flung over her shoulder and to her back. With a hiking of her thumb, "Come in, just don't do or say anything to the dark skinned one or I won't be held responsible. Oh and don't mind the water EVERYWHERE. We can't help it." Asuka stomped back into the apartment leaving the bewildered guests out in the hall alone.

Rushing after her friend, Hikari called out after her and disappeared into the apartment, "Asuka wait up! What are you talking about?"

Muddled and just a little annoyed that his gift was stolen so fast, "What crawled up her snatch? I swear she gets crazier every time I see her." With a shrug he kicked his shoes off and joined the others inside. Kensuke was quickly behind him, as they rounded the small hall into the living room and came to a full stop. "K-Kensuke…pinch me please," Touji couldn't believe his eyes, such things were just not possible.

"What are you talking a-bout," Kensuke drawled out as he to saw the insanity. The camera slowly went up to his eye and he started to record everything for prosperity. Finding Hikari in equally stunned silence, the trio of students didn't know how to take the trio of other worldly women sitting about the room. Nyx, Tiina, and Echidna were idling about in their own ways. Nyx with some magazines, Tiina watching television, and Echidna was licking her lips with eyes gleaming with delight at the new additions. Maybe the camera gave Kensuke that extra level of separation as his tongue started to work first, "W-who are these people? We miss something?"

Sauntering out of her chair, Echidna pranced exotically towards the prone Hikari. "Oh we're good friends with Shinji. Going to be staying for a few days as we get our travel plans in order. And you are just adorable," Echidna leaned in close to Hikari. Oh how those eyes ate up the timid flower that was Hikari Hokari. Her fingers got tantalizingly close to touching the girl's face but never actually touched, and when Asuka chucked a book at her, Echidna pirouetted away. "Touchy-touchy little girl. Jealousy doesn't suit you," she sang tauntingly.

"Oh you're Shinji's friends! I have food cooking in case you showed up, I should go check!" Nyx got up suddenly. A few uncertain glances at the two boys, down at her red dressed clad legs, she balled her hands and ran off to the safety of the kitchen.

Grabbing Hikari's arm and yanking the stunned girl away from danger, Asuka all but threw the girl behind her. Hissing venomantly, "I told you to stay away from my friend you…you…" Asuka's fire died out as Echidna stood up to full height and towered over her. Kelta hissed and flicked his tongue at her. Back peddling, colliding with Hikari, "You don't scare me! Just because your story is true, doesn't mean you're better than anybody! Let's go to my room, Hikari, leave these two with the skank!" And with that parting barb, Asuka fled the room and propelled Hikari like a shield to her room.

"H-hello ma'am, I'm Touji Suzuhara," the jock all but shrieked as the dark skinned woman noticed them. Woman must have been an exhibitionist or something with that odd garb she was wearing! Even women in the movies he downloaded had more skin covered unless they were doing the act. Yet those ears, they were longer than normal, cos-play maybe? Bowing his head, head perfectly level with her exposed flesh, "S-sorry for Soryu's behavior, she can be a bitch from time to time."

Joining Echidna, Tiina seemed to flow as she examined the new additions, "Welcome, and don't take the young Asuka's outburst to heart. The culture here is different to us, and well she didn't take kindly to our activities last night. Though at times Echidna here can come across as to forward for some's liking. And I do believe you came on to strongly to Misato. She did flee this morning quite suddenly." Tiina dripped all over the place, gleaming in the florescent light.

"Something happened to Katsuragi-san?" Kensuke couldn't keep his camera off Tiina. Her clothing was translucent with the permanent water adhering to it, and he wanted to insure he never forgot the image. When Echidna forced the boy to shift his view to her, she smiled so sweetly in the camera's lens it caused the boy to drop it into her hands. Suddenly unarmed and skittish, "I-uh, sorry for filming you two if you don't like it. Most people don't mind it. I can d-delete the footage if you want."

Dangerous, that Echidna woman just screamed dangerous to Touji despite her beauty. She moved just to fluidly, such precise and perfect motions couldn't be coincidental. "S-something happened to Misato-san? You said you know Shin-man, f-from where?" Touji felt himself herded to the chairs by the television. The sounds of cooking and succulent smells filled the room as Nyx worked, but Touji and Kensuke weren't thinking of food right now. Just the women on the couch as they were on the chairs. Where WAS Shinji? Yesterday when they saw him, he hadn't mentioned a quartet of models at his apartment!

"Oh nothing bad happened to that woman, other than she confirmed what I suspected about her. Taught her a few things after she realized she couldn't escape it," Echidna pet Kelta with a content sigh. Puffing her chest out, she let a hand trial down her exposed midline. Kicking her legs out on the table, she cooed as she grabbed ahold of Tiina, anybody in ranger was in danger. "As for the other issue. The little girl wasn't ready to hear Shizuka and Puppy together. Though if she asked she could have joined him or me I'm betting," Echidna used just the right inflexion to give the wrong impression.

Bringing a tray of cookies out and setting them on the table, Nyx groaned when the only seat again was by Echidna. Taking it but just out of the snake's reach, Nyx held herself against the armrest, "I hope you don't mind sweets. With the supplies we have it was all I could make right now. Shinji is out getting us some better stock to use." Now this was more up Touji's alley, timid and bashful yet in such a revealing outfit. A duet of conflicting imagery.

"I love cookies, miss. So you all know Shinji? You work for Nerv?" Touji couldn't take his eyes off of them! Leaning in for a cookie, he snuck a peek along the neckline of red dress, wow she had a nice set of…he felt a foot on his shoulder and started to sweat. Slowly changing his field of view to the one that was resting a leg on the back of his neck, he saw the knowing slit eyes of Echidna. Trying to pull his head back he felt her push down, "S-sorry, I didn't mean to…" and the pressure elevated. Wow that woman knew he was looking!?

Grabbing herself a cookie the blue haired woman dribbled a little on the tray, "Oh we're friends from…overseas. He'll explain to you about it when he gets here. And yes we are dear friends with Sir Shinji." Regally the woman sampled the cookie delicately and with refinery that was far exceeding eating a simple cookie. Scrunching her eyes shut, the woman's head twitched just a little, "These are delectable Nyx. Now we know your name, but your friend here hasn't said much. What brings you here today?"

"Kensuke Aida, ma'am! I'm…Kensuke Aida," Kensuke gushed quickly grabbed a cookie, one that had a dribble of Tiina's moisture on it and popped it in his mouth. "Wow, these are really good. Delicious in fact! And we came to make sure Shinji was doing alright. Yesterday at school he was all weird, and he wasn't in today so we were worried. We didn't know he was only seeing to friends. What brings you three here?" Kensuke was always better and social oddities than Touji was.

Shifting in her seat, mimicking Nyx in sliding out of Echidna's grasp, Tiina played with a small ball in her hand. "Our visit is only a brief one. You see, I'm engaged to Sir Shinji, and soon we'll be going back to where we belong. He just has to see an an," Tiina shivered as Echidna ran a hand down her spine, "I mean we're just visiting briefly." She took another cookie and just held it.

"Fiancé? Are you really engaged to Shin-man? This an arranged marriage or something? He's never said anything about it before," Touji wouldn't have minded that. Getting a dainty and gorgeous wife out of the ether because his dad set it up for him. Though he'd rather get with Hikari, having something like this wouldn't be bad either. But something else bugged him, did she say they weren't staying long. That didn't men she was here to marry Shinji and then leave WITH him right? "So this is the first meeting or something, going to come back later or something?" Touji didn't want Shinji to leave, Shinji was his best bud!

Tittering huskily, Echidna didn't bother with the cookies, she did grab a can of Yebisu that had been nestled in between the couch cushions. Popping the top she took a sip, "Oh don't mind her. She WANTS to be engaged just hasn't asked Puppy about it yet. She can't even sleep in the same room as him, too nervous of his prowess, so what good as a wife would she be? Though he did play Shizuka like that instrument of his, if I was a virgin I'd be intimidated too. Maybe tonight I'll drag both of you two wall flowers in and have him break you in."

Touji's dropped the cookie and felt his jaw slowly open as he simply lost all strength of body. "You're kidding…right?" Touji couldn't believe what he was hearing! These women were at least a good four or five years older, and that Echidna well Touji wouldn't guess. Shinji wasn't the type to in the matter of days do anything with an unknown girl! Hell Shinji didn't know the first thing about girls, neither did Touji but he had to at least act like he did. Seeing both Tiina and Nyx blush though, Touji and Kensuke just balked, "That can't be! He's only…and you're so…"

"No wonder he had such a time with Leina and fret so much about that nun," Echidna laughed and drained more of her can. The sound of the door opening broke her out of her revelry, her large ears twitched subtly, moved in to realistic manner to be fake. Rolling backward as if she were made of air, she back flipped behind the couch in a show of dexterity far outpacing a normal person. "Speak of the devil, he's back. Now you girls going to keep playing coy or are you going to actually act on it?" she goaded and scampered off.

Laughing unevenly, Kensuke ate another cookie without much delicacy. "Wow that woman is quite the joker. I thought Katsuragi-san was the teaser, but that one is something else," disbelief was everywhere. No way either Touji or Kensuke could believe Shinji was sticking it to these new and crazy exotic women! It defied logic and common sense! Shaking his head hard, trying to knock the crazy out, "So are you friends of Misato then?"

"Touji, Kensuke what are you two doing here?" Shinji asked loudly yet with an air of friendliness to show he wasn't upset with their presence. With a pale woman on his arm and a full head taller than him, Shinji was not pushing her off or even showing any indication he was embarrassed. With Echidna stalking behind them though, Shinji did twitch at some unseen touch, "H-have you met Tiina-san, Nyx-san, and Echidna-san? Didn't give you any troubles did they?"

Now who was this natural beauty! Wearing something he'd seen Misato wear before, Touji boggled as the buttons strained to keep the contents confined. "We met them and they're quite funny people. And she makes delicious cookies," Touji didn't really taste his but everybody else loved them. An elaborate joke, this whole thing just had to be staged! "So what's the joke then Shin-man. Misato-san pay for this or something?" it was time to end the farce, Touji's slacks were taught enough.

"What do you mean?" Shinji asked taking the bags from Shizuka who gave his cheek a light kiss. Flustered at the public display, Shinji scratched the back of his head as the shinobi circled the room like a vulture.

In a wide hand gesture to the quartet of lovelies, Kensuke stood up and laughed, "These four! I mean are they actresses or something? Such elaborate costumes, and the water effects on Tiina here are…I mean we know Katsuragi-san likes to joke, but this is a bit much isn't it?' He fixed his glasses and fiddled with his camera now without tape.

"Oh this is going to be fun. Let us tell them as you go make us some supper," Shizuka gave Shinji's butt a swat and shoved him into the kitchen. Pacing the room, Shizuka sized up the two lads proceeded to shock their unprepared minds with the agreed upon tale. Certain parts were left out, namely the darker parts, but enough to leave both boys stunned and looking at Shinji in a new light. He was…really was…with some of these girls? Touji was proud and happy for his buddy, but the question did exist of 'was he staying or leaving?'

X-X

Notes

So this is the first of the few Tokyo-3 chapters. Trying something a little different with Gendo this time. Less the 'I'm the lord of all things evil' and more 'hiding insecurities behind a guise of utter dick'. Again trying to go for more 'wtf this is future land' for this chapter to make it a little more believable. I don't see Shizuka or Echidna picking the locks of a 21'st century cell the first time they encounter it, they'd not know how the mechanics work at first.

Anyway, sorry for the time delays but work is kicking into high gear, illness, and potential home ownership steals time. Hope you enjoyed!

Later

Mercaba