+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
"Stupid, idiotic, myopic, paranoid, self-serving, hypocrites!" The desire to punch something was nearly overwhelming, and despite an invisible Kyoko holding to the side of his head he could barely control the rage that was consuming him as he and Misato rode the elevator towards her vehicle, "I don't care that they want to make me a nation unto myself. I don't care that they would expect trade status between me and their countries. I don't even care that they would likely want to have diplomatic marriages arranged to cement ties between me and their countries! On what Earth is it at all reasonable to look at this," he gestured along his torso, "and say, 'Yeah, I want to kneel to him! He's young, he's insane, and even better, he has no idea what he's doing! This plan couldn't possibly fail!' It's like everyone saw the virus and said, 'Screw it, we're all dead anyway, let's just hurry things along. Last one out turn off the light'."
When the door slid open, Misato saw him change back into the cold, calm, professional she had seen repeatedly in the field. It would be jarring, had she not seen him do the exact same thing after exiting Kozo's office, "We're going to do what we can to support you. You know that."
"I do," even his voice had been modified to seem unbothered. "I hate to ask like this, I had wanted a calm moment with flowers, chocolate, and wine…but would you consider signing a marriage certificate with me?" He glanced over apologetically, "I want one with everyone tied to me. We can do ceremonies later, or not at all, depending on preference…but I want people tied firmly to me before I become unable to do so due to whatever bizarre laws are about to strike us. Yes, I can just declare us married, no, that is not acceptable to me. You deserve better." Massaging Kyoko's legs, pain crept into his tone, "You both do."
"If it will make you happy," Misato rapped her knuckles on his abs. "I don't care one way or the other. You and I agreed to be what we are, and no piece of paper is going to make us any more or less what we are. Call me your wife, your girlfriend, your lover, I'm still your Misa-chan. That's what matters to me."
"I'd like one, but I doubt the Japanese government is as into necrophilia as we are," Kyoko tittered quietly. "I'm fine with knowing that in your soul you've declared that I'm yours, and you're mine." She dropped into his lap as they buckled into Misato's car, "I'm going to go back in and try to help Makoto-chan." Kissing him once, she vanished.
Misato's head snapped to the side before her brain regained traction, "Help…right…right, androgynous name. One of the new girls, not that slack ass bastard that was always eye-humping me."
"Yeah," Shinji snorted. "Today's her birthday. Was planning on making a cherry pie for her…it's her favorite." Sinking back into the car's seat, he closed his eyes and fought for calm in public with his Rage Sponge gone. The motion of the vehicle as it set out was slower than usual, the woman to his side reaching over to caress his leg when her hand didn't need to operate the gearshift. "If I bond Minami, and Kiyomi, on her birthday…what am I doing, Misato? This has spiraled completely out of control, and the only thing I can think to do is carry on as we have been. Adding people as we need to, bringing more people into our family, and hoping beyond hope that all of you don't begin to despise everything I am for it."
"We'll manage, Shinji. That's what life is, ultimately. Managing as you can, one foot in front of the other, and hoping that in the process you manage to do more good than bad." Stopping at a red light, she smirked at him knowingly, "You think you're the only one who has no idea what they're doing? I'm making this up as I go, relishing those times we go into your soul to spend a month together talking, touching, and taking our time. These days, in comparison, between? Shrug my shoulders and knuckle down. It's like a work week between weekends, you cram as much fun as you can into the weekend, and then earn it during the week. I don't doubt it's worse for you, because you have these long stretches between time with me, and so from your perspective you're ignoring me. From mine? It's a couple of days of work. Just look at it from our perspective from time to time, and make the time we do have special…that's all you can do."
With a sad smile on his face, he patted her shoulder in response. Saying anything wouldn't change anything, and the woman he was with knew all too well the weight of responsibility. How it could, and would, crush even the strongest spine. If she was telling him that the path they were on was manageable, he had to at least consider it as possible. To do anything else would be to declare that the ring of truth from her song was itself a lie.
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
Hikari was waiting for him in the kitchen, some of the pre-work already taken care of for the dessert he was intending to make, and an apron tied neatly to her front, "I made certain they bought three kinds of cherries, my love. I wasn't sure which kind Makoto-san prefers, and I didn't want to buy the wrong kind. Whatever we don't use, I'll make sure gets used as snacks so that it doesn't go to waste." Tilting her head to offer her cheek for a kiss, smiling when she was given one without hesitation, she kept up the tempo of her briefing, "Your cookbook wasn't specific on those, but everything else I've got moving. Which do you want to do, the cherries or the dough?"
"Help me with the cherries, senpai," the sound of a familiar voice drew his eyes over to a tall, athletic, brunette. Makoto Kino's calm, understanding, smile told him more than any words might have. "Thanks for getting everything started, Class Rep. If you don't mind taking care of the dough, please make sure to leave openings in the strips for the top."
His wife, a woman he loved more than life itself, turned and bowed just a touch, "Welcome home, and happy birthday. I look forward to spending more time with a woman that my husband has fought alongside, and thank you for not fighting me for him. You look like you have a mean right hook, and I'm out of practice."
Accepting a hug from Shinji, the statuesque stunner laughed happily, "Why fight for him? He offers both of us what we want, and he'll make sure we both get what we need." Setting aside one of the three styles of fruit, she winked to Hikari as she pushed Shinji back, "We'll mix these two. It was the first kind of cherry pie he made me, on the first date he and I ever went on. It was delicious, or so I hear."
"I still can't believe Usagi ate it all," Shinji groaned. "We were only out of the house for five minutes to get drinks!"
A retelling of the event followed, Makoto making every effort to bond with a young woman in Hikari she'd known in several lives. The mess that they made through youthful klutziness, the cleanup, the apologies, the promises that they weren't normally so messy. The Sailor for Jupiter knew she had the occasional tear drop down her cheek, the memories of a life that had been cut violently short swarming over the great memory of a few months of absolute joy at being the center of a 'perfect' man's world. Sharing the good, eschewing the bad, she spent the entire time they prepared all six pies speaking to Hikari and Hikari alone. It was her gift to Shinji, understanding that he had obligations beyond her. The gift of his time on her birthday was everything she wanted and more. The added gift of Hikari's smile, as well as the total lack of jealousy, made the simple 'date' more meaningful than entire lives she'd suffered through.
"Go and get ready for your dinner, senpai," patting him on the chest, the 'birthday girl' continued to make her case for peaceful coexistence. "The Class Rep and I can finish baking these now. It's mostly just monitoring the oven and making sure that a certain twin-tailed pig doesn't sneak into the kitchen and swallow them whole." Accepting a quick kiss, she clapped her hand against his cheek firmly twice, "I'm not upset. I like Hikari-chan. I appreciate her dedication to making certain those around her are allowed fair treatment. Spending a few hours with her will make me happy, and I need to talk to her about how things will go between us all."
"It's ok, my love," Hikari assured him. "I'll make sure she's introduced to everyone she needs to be introduced to."
Hesitating only long enough to pinch the sailor on the side hard enough to make her yelp, Shinji acquiesced, "This is my life, now. Running from one obligation to the next. You still sure you made the right choice?"
"We don't abandon our friends when times are tough," big, green eyes hardened in a determined glare. "We most certainly do not abandon the man we love because his life is hard. Now get going, before I make you prove that you think you can take me in a brawl."
He couldn't deny how good it felt to be told that, to know that his household was that much safer. Leaving the kitchen, he was followed by the sound of giggles, some off-color joke having been made at his expense, no doubt. Even that…felt good.
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
The table at the 'head' of the mess tent was a surprisingly lively place. After giving a short, but heartfelt, speech of gratitude for the efforts of the assembled members of the JSSDF that would soon be guarding a foreign nation, Shinji introduced Misato as his 'wife and boss', earning enthusiastic laughter and applause from the crowd as well as a playful look of condemnation from the lavender-haired warrior. When her 'counter-speech' was filled with inflated tales of long-suffering nights dealing with his ceaseless dedication to fixing the entire world's problems before remembering that he had people in his house that would do some of those things for him if he asked, the laughter and applause threatened to blow the tent wide open.
With the view of their feet blocked by a long cloth, Shinji was able to slip one hand over to gently squeeze Kiyomi's leg during Misato's rabblerousing. Pitching his voice low, he leaned over, "This was a good idea. Thank you for inviting me."
"I can see why you follow her," the Major replied with a grin. "She keeps you honest, doesn't she?"
"I'd follow her to the gates of Hel, and only ask that she hold my coat while I kick them down for her." He could feel the approach of a different song, one he hadn't expected, "Incoming." Lieutenant Colonel Hagiwara, inbound. Having warned Misato, who tapped her foot in recognition while not slowing down her speech in the slightest, he sat up straight and watched the flaps.
You outrank everyone here, stay seated. "So ultimately, ladies and gentlemen, the entire myth that's been built up around my husband is that he's someone who relies on us to do anything. I assure you," the tent flaps opened, admitting the Commander of the 1/1 and a few other officers and enlisted, "the only reason he doesn't try to do my job too is because he can't sit in the Eva and on the bridge at the same time. He's good, don't get me wrong, but he's not capable of bending spacetime to that degree." Accepting the subdued response of laughter and applause as many of the lower enlisted were confused as to the proper protocols in place, Misato took charge by calling out in a friendly voice, "A pleasure to see you, Lieutenant Colonel. Come to join us for dinner? Major Honda's team makes a fine chicken, let me assure you."
"I'm glad to hear you say so, ma'am." Pausing near the table, Itsuki Hagiwara looked to Shinji, "Your Majesty, might I beg your indulgence for a few seats at the table?"
Gesturing with an open hand at the side opposing him, three seats left empty so that nobody would have had to sit with their backs to the assembly during the event, Shinji inclined his head and wordlessly granted his permission. He felt ridiculous, but he could tell that it was expected of him. It was easy to keep a pleasant smile on his face now, surrounded as he was by people who honestly enjoyed his presence, and with the song that the woman taking the seat directly across from him screaming of hope that her news was welcome.
"It's nice of you to join us, ma'am," Kiyomi greeted her superior politely. "I hadn't thought you would be in our AO for another day or so."
"Plans changed," Itsuki smiled politely. Sitting back as one of the cooks came trotting over with a cart to offer any of the three main selections available for the evening to her and the Command Sergeant Major to her one side, and the Major to her other, she looked to Shinji, "Any recommendations, sir?"
"As my wife said, the chicken is excellent. Though, in my opinion, I prefer the steak. I don't often get to eat it prepared that way, and am enjoying it rather mightily." The swell of pride from the young woman offering the food was a tangible thing, her bearing screaming of eagerness to go back and crow about how The Paladin was enthusiastically enjoying the meat she had prepared herself.
"The steak it is, then," accepting her tray, she kept her hands in her lap for the moment. Once the other two made their selections, one the chicken, and the Command Sergeant Major the vegetarian option, she waited for the cook to depart before asking in a low voice, "You knew?"
"It slipped at school, then again at work," he nodded, maintaining his demeanor. "Though, to be fair, the bit about my pending Canonization wasn't mentioned by anyone. That said, I would hope that you don't feel like the only reason you can visit is when the UN Secretary General makes phenomenally poor decisions."
A tight grin preceded a laugh, "Droll, Your Majesty. Very droll." Gesturing to the major who had arrived with her, she made introductions, "Your Majesty, allow me to introduce Major Sasaki," then to her other side, "and Sergeant Major Kitagawa."
"A pleasure to meet you both," he knew, without hearing, what they were there for and why he was about to have his calm tested. "Not until I approve of her successor, ma'am. I agree, having a liaison is important. Necessary, even. However, she and I have already come to an understanding regarding the necessity of trusting the people in command of those protecting my flank. We are struggling to find someone that doesn't set my teeth on edge for Charlie, dumping everything onto poor Captain Ozaki is unacceptable."
"It would seem His Majesty and I share an opinion," Kitagawa chuckled, before taking a bite of her meal.
Sasaki glowered at the senior enlisted, "The Paladin is operating with a deficit of intel, Sergeant Major. Let's allow him to hear us out before we prejudice him against the plan further."
Itsuki, taking her time to enjoy some of her steak, nodded in agreement with him, "This is rather nice. I know for certain that this isn't something we provided. Major?"
"Local contact, ma'am," Kiyomi responded diplomatically. "They've taken to…supplementing our rations, in exchange for continued inter-agency cooperation."
Her single nod indicated that she not only allowed the fiction to continue, but approved of its existence, "I could simply order her into the position, you know?"
"I believe as the sovereign ruler of an Empire, I get a vote in who I allow on my lands." He knew she wasn't serious, but was feeling out how he felt over the entire situation.
"Do you, perhaps, have a counterproposal?" Toying with a segment of her steak, she looked at him with undisguised curiosity.
There was a small part of him that was surprised that she was being tasked with something this important, considering her lower rank. He did not, however, find her ill fitted to the role, "You could take over command here. Plant the Battalion colors here, that way I would not have to…stress as much. I admire your honesty, and while I disagree with your tactics I cannot disagree with your strategy. You want, more than anything, to align your Army with my concept of the world. Peace, defense of the weak, and unrelenting devastation to those who would oppose those two goals. I make no secret of my affection for both Major Honda and Captain Ozaki. So, in exchange for your patience in locating adequate commanders to occupy their positions, I will encourage Japan to move you into the Headquarters building I intend to plant nearby. After, of course," he spun his finger around to indicate the tent, "I finish enjoying dinner."
Misato coughed, "How are we planning on explaining the sudden appearance of a series of military buildings, dear?"
"By no longer hiding what I am," he shrugged, cutting off another section of his steak. "I'm an Emperor. I'm a living saint. Why bother keeping everything hidden anymore? What purpose does secrecy serve, except to pretend to be something that nobody believes I am? I'm going to rebuild our house, make it a part of the base, and then I'm going to commandeer the one-one as my personal honor guard. I'll apologize profusely for the delay in handing the paperwork over to the Diet, offer them a few photo ops on the base with the men and women from their areas, and make my first official act a statement of unending peace between our Empire and the nation of Japan." Popping the chunk in his mouth, he looked around the table, gauging how people felt about his plan.
Shinji, these are the things we talk about before we just act. Slowly cutting into her chicken, she stated without equivocation, "You are human. That you have been altered, by your unique circumstances, does not change that fact. You are not the only person with a long reach, and I will not sit idly by while someone attempts to deny or remove that humanity from you."
"Nor will I," Itsuki announced flatly. "What you're proposing won't work, without some modifications."
He was familiar with the dance, "Such as?"
"My superiors are going to insist on at least a Division. Wherever you are at any moment is going to receive a lot of attention, political and otherwise. We need a lot of uniforms; armor, air support, logistics, intelligence, signals…coordinating all of that is far more than a Battalion can accommodate." She, much like he had, gestured around them, "Not a lot of room here for that."
Borrowing from Misato's knowledge of military structures, Shinji made a thoughtful noise to buy himself some time. With a gesture, he refilled everyone's cups with their preferred beverages as he chewed mechanically, Adapt and overcome, Misa-chan. She was sent here to spring this on me. She's being sacrificed by someone who's trying to take her off the board, help me help her. She has a good heart, and wants us to succeed in our goals of purging the waste from above us so that people who want everyone to succeed can take their place.
"An unattached Brigade," his wife insisted, "would serve well enough. Our combat strength lies in mobility. A Division, while useful in a boxing match, is not notorious for being agile. I can agree that a Battalion would be too small to have the subordinate units necessary to produce consistent expertise, but a Brigade would be more than enough."
Kiyomi, either through her own natural abilities or a sudden insight to Shinji's thoughts, added her own voice to the dilemma, "A Brigade could be placed under the Lieutenant Colonel's command, sir. A bit unorthodox, considering such a command is typically given to either a Colonel or even a Brigadier, but this entire adventure could easily be classified as 'unorthodox'."
He wanted to kiss the woman for giving him that opening, "Fantastic!" Patting the table gently, he smiled, "That would be an excellent compromise. I certainly wouldn't trust anyone else, save perhaps the Major," he gestured to Kiyomi. "Captain Ozaki is still a bit below grade, I fear. Ah well. I will be glad to extend the amount of land I'll co-opt, in exchange for a Brigade under your direction. The other option, which I'm certain you won't mind informing Major General Okuda of," he nabbed the name from her thoughts as she inwardly celebrated the talent Shinji had around him, "is that I tell all of you to, as the Sergeant Major might put it, 'piss up a rope' and tell the JSSDF to unass my AO."
It was Major Sasaki's turn to cough politely, "I do not believe that General Okuda will appreciate that ultimatum, sir."
"I wasn't aware I was giving him the option of enjoying it, Major," Shinji's smile was friendly, though his tone was liquid frost. "Especially since I'll ask that he personally sign the paperwork promoting my good friend Itsuki to full Colonel so that she might be better positioned to properly command the Imperial Guard." Rolling his knife around in his fingers, he frowned slightly as he considered the woman he spoke to, "She'll need an XO who is as determined as she is to clean up the upper echelons of Japan's military, so that it serves the honor of the men and women who sacrifice so much for its people…instead of only serving those at its higher levels."
The Sergeant Major patted the table gently in applause, "Well spoken, sir. I assure you, Major Sasaki is such a woman. She might be a touch more diplomatic than you or I, but I assure you she's got a sharp sword for those who fall short in their duties to those beneath them."
"That's comforting to hear." The knife stopped in its motion, the tip and blade now emphasizing his statements, "I will not tolerate glory-seekers. Every man and woman around me must work together to help each other, to lift those up who need a hand onto their feet, to encourage and guide those who have lost their way. No slackers, no self-centered peacocks. We take pride in the good we do, we draw faith in the strength of those around us, and most importantly we strive for a better world for those who follow in our footsteps."
"And you're certain you want me here?" Itsuki, once more feeling him out, was unsparing in criticism of herself, "I am not one to be compromising in my demands, when given a task. If I find that I don't have the resources, or the remit, I assure you I will be in your ear about it."
He shrugged, a lopsided grin growing, "I look forward to interacting with yet another woman who has a tendency to speak her mind at increasingly loud volumes when they believe I am not paying sufficient attention. You keep the people of my city safe, Colonel, and I'll give you everything you ask for."
"Then it's a good thing I brought a large portion of my command staff with me," she responded with a similar grin. "Because I had a feeling you might be able to manage a miracle. We'll deal with the specifics after this excellent meal is given the attention it deserves, but I have some folks that I think we can put in temporary command of your attached Companies while we interview and appropriate the rest of our Brigade. I presume you'll trust Major Honda and Captain Ozaki to stand on the board for you?"
"I trust them with Nozomi-chan and Yinghua-chan's lives," he agreed easily. Shifting the topic to the meal, he turned to the Senior Enlisted, "How are the snap peas, Kitagawa-san? Grilling them like they have always risks making them brittle, you know."
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
"It's a little odd who he does, and does not, trust," Itsuki stated quietly to Misato, Suzuka, Kiyomi, and Sachiko. The group of women stood back and watched as Shinji directed the rapid disembarking of the household and removal of everything inside of it to the outside under a series of tents to keep it all neat and organized. "He seems to have his own metrics, and all it takes is a glance. Normally I'd say that he's just quick to make up his mind, which can be a useful trait if properly trained. However, I get the feeling that there is more at play than that."
Suzuka looked to Misato, a question in her eyes. Receiving a shrug and a nod, the elegant swordswoman decided to proceed with what Shinji had asked of them, "He can see into your soul, via a song that is common to every living being on Earth. Your motivations, your outermost thoughts, your emotional balance, are all laid out for him plainly as if written upon the pages of a newspaper. It's less accurate to say that he makes up his mind quickly than to say that he judges people on what they're presenting to him."
The woman that would be in charge of a Brigade of dedicated defenders of a foreign ruler pursed her lips thoughtfully, "Awkward." With the last person out, the woman she recognized as Hikari Ikari carrying a…. "Is that a penguin?"
"That's my shiftless dork, yeah," Misato snorted a laugh. "Every chance he gets to be carried like the big baby he is, he takes."
A few words passed out of their hearing, and Shinji gestured casually to the building. The assembled crowd gasped, then cheered as the structure was reduced to dust as if by magic. Quickly flowing out from a central point, molten minerals dug a vast trench in the ground to reform a foundation for the first new building. With the sun low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, the fey glow of superheated elements teased everyone with fire and fury as he constrained them and molded them to his designs.
"And he wonders why people will venerate him," Itsuki whispered, awed at what she was given the honor of witnessing. With the frame built, trees began to sprout in the ground, cautiously growing, then roaring upwards with deafening cracks and groans as they changed from saplings to taller than the nearby skyscrapers in the span of heartbeats. "Is…are you certain he won't change his mind on a Division? While I appreciate his confidence in my abilities, we are going to be hard pressed to constrain the domestic tourism, let alone the foreign. I'm going to have to recreate policies and procedures wholesale."
Misato shook her head, "He agreed with the idea of a Brigade because you would be put in charge of it. I asked him, and he said that you are…and this is a direct quote by the by, 'someone I would not mind having around for the rest of my life'. Whatever it is he sees in your song, he trusts it. My recommendation, for what it's worth, build up the Brigade to over-sized, get buy-in from the military, then expand this base he's about to drop on us. By the time you're done building up a Brigade, we can roll the idea of a Division past him and you'll be able to move into that Command slot. Again, as the Major said, it's unorthodox…but right now we're pushing something onto the world that needs a little unorthodox."
Kiyomi wondered at the choice he was making to use wood for a structure that was clearly intended to be defensive in nature, "Is he trained, at all, in architecture? I'm familiar enough with the principles, I spent part of my training buddied up with a lady from an Engineering Company, and while it's not unheard of…wood burns really easy."
Suzuka held her hand up for quiet for a second, before smiling and responding, "The type of tree he grew, according to him, would only begin to burn after the metal beams inside began to melt and sag. He appreciates that you might feel some concern, however, and asks if you'd like your bedroom to be cement and steel instead."
The Major crossed her arms and raised one eyebrow as she stared across the field to him, "Smartass."
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
"It's not that difficult, anymore." Shinji carefully crafted the Manor, the aid of each of the Aspects coming into play at various times. "The ground around the house itself will crumble to dust before this building does. I could tap dance Unit-01 on the roof and you wouldn't feel it one floor down." With the superstructure in place, he quickly assembled the rooms so that each person had even more space, and the number of rooms could be increased as he desired without sacrificing aesthetics. "Minami?"
"Oh, uh," standing from her blanket, where she'd been playing cards with the little ones, and hurrying over, the fashionable gyaru presented herself with an eager smile, "yes? Something I can do?"
Without taking his mind from his tasks, he extended his hand to her, "You can gift me forever. We're just going to keep dancing around one another, both afraid of asking the question for fear of it being taken the wrong way. I've been standing here talking to Makoto and Hikari, and I realized that adding you is just like adding her. It's a decision best made with me stating emphatically that I think you have a great deal to offer our household. All I ask you to do, in exchange, is continue being the wonderful young woman you are." He paused, "And maybe help Tsuru gain more confidence."
"I…." She looked stunned, and turned to see Hikari urging her to say 'Yes' where Shinji couldn't see. When Makoto rolled her hands, urging the same, the decision was sealed. "Y-yes. I'd love to stay with you forever."
"Great," reaching over blindly and cupping her chin, he sealed her to him absent-mindedly. More confident in where he was in the efforts, he turned and smiled happily, "Thank you. I look forward to meeting your father, and helping you explain to him why you're not going to go to college. I think, however, it might be a good idea to send you to cosmetology courses. I have some ideas for setting up a room dedicated to makeup, hair styling, pedicures and manicures…things like that. You and Yang tell me what you need, I'll make it happen. You can learn how to make everyone in the house shine as bright as you do. Especially before we have to walk in front of cameras and whatnot."
Hikari had moved to hold up Minami, hugging her as the bond settled into place and her newest ally discovered just how deeply Shinji's love ran. "I'd love her forever if she could make me seem a little less plain, myself."
"Ha!" Makoto belted out a laugh, "Says the second most beautiful girl in our class. Maybe we should give her a real challenge, like me!"
"He…." Tears grew in Minami's eyes as she looked between the three others, "I'm…."
"Loved," Shinji nodded. "A great deal, actually. That's another thing I think I need to just stop hiding. While we're out here showing the world just how terrible a mistake they made in choosing me." Looking back to the Manor as it grew room after room, Bardiel and Sachiel working together to bond the planks carved from the trees Sandalphon helped him grow, he rubbed his hands together, "I've got a household full of beauty and wonder, Minami. You are now a part of that, equal to every other part of it. Welcome home."
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
The house now stood, imposing and proud, a monument to what he believed those women he loved truly deserved. Standing off to the side of the entry hall, the five-meter-high ceiling bathed by the soft glow of permanent orbs of gentle light, Shinji made introductions as needed, "Itsuki-san, this is my wife Ireul. She will be working with you to create the rest of the buildings. Whatever you need constructed, so long as it serves a valid purpose, she'll direct the others to create."
"A pleasure to meet you," the regal Aspect inclined her head politely. Pausing with a slight smirk, she gestured to her husband, "That's a question for him. I am who I am, and dear Rei is who she is. If you would like to know more than that, either he will share what he shares, or you will need to join your soul to his for all time."
As items made their way back into the house, the Lieutenant Colonel kept her face still through long years of experience, "Oh, I think I'm a little old for him, ma'am."
"My age, as measured by the revolutions around your star, would require a number far larger than you believe the age of the universe to encompass," tugging down on Shinji's shirt to kiss him on the cheek, she smiled. "He doesn't care about such silly trifles. He's only interested in what is within your heart."
"Let's keep our focus on what's before us," Shinji stepped in, diplomatically. "I want the base built and ready before midnight. I've asked Suzuki and Gen to stop by, they'll be building an annex to house the contingent of Shirakami that will be acting on my behalf." His eyes speared the officer before him, "They will be afforded the same respect I give them, or our working relationship will be short indeed."
Itsuki rocked her hand side to side, "We'll need to run our own investigations on them, sir. You can't ask us to just trust them, you of all people would know how the government loves paper trails."
"It's a fair compromise," Ireul offered her advice to her husband. "So long as any irregularities are brought to you for deconfliction, allowing you to explain or accept risks. This will be, after all, your land."
"I can agree to that," she consented. "I've already sent my cable to the Diet, the Emperor, and my own CO informing them of what you are demanding. The response from the Emperor's retinue was nearly immediate, 'Aid the Voice of the Heavens'. The Diet's Council for Foreign Affairs agreed without reservation. My CO still hasn't passed word along, my assumption would be that there are attempts being made to change minds above my level. I sent a quick note to an ally I have in the Diet; she's only asked for a meeting with you in exchange for throwing her weight behind the plan."
"Easy enough to accept," he was going to have to make allowances for playing the game. Though he did not doubt many would find his 'playing' to be blunt and taciturn. "Have her contact Kelly, she'll make the arrangements." Scrubbing the side of his face, he looked out at the darkening sky, "Let's get this going. I want everything in place, as I said, by midnight. Anything they set forth is going to be dated at oh hundred hours local, and so I want this patch of dirt set before then. Iri, play nice."
Her single eye grew wide in faux shock, "I couldn't possibly know what you mean, Your Majesty." Soon?
He pinched her nose, Tonight, so long as the other Sailors can step outside of my soul so we can have some privacy. I am who I am, my dearest. "Sure you don't. Scoot." Leaving the officer to the tender mercies of the Aspect of Terror, he shoved his hands in his pockets and moved into the sitting area just beyond the entry hall. Minami, having had far fewer worldly possessions, was left as the lone human in that room.
Standing by the now ten times larger aquarium, one of several dozen throughout the home, the newly joined forever teenager was happily chatting with Gaghiel about the various fish he summoned, "No, no, the pink one! Yes!" As several more of one specific fish popped into being, she clapped happily, "Perfect, Fin-kun, perfect!" Noticing Shinji's approach, she blushed, her tongue tying itself in knots as a renewed surge of emotion washed over her.
Taking note of the array of colors on display swimming through the clear water of the tank, Shinji pulled her into a side hug while commenting, "Looks good. Very inviting. Though, if I remember our time in my soul correctly Gaghiel, most of those are either venomous or poisonous."
"Very much so," the Aspect of Fish bobbed and swayed. "Wouldn't feed them to anyone, especially not Pen-Pen. You might just get an upset stomach, Aesthete, he would die. That would be very sad."
Minami found her voice, enough to quietly murmur, "He…keeps calling me that. I don't know what that is…uhm…dear."
"It's a person who views the world in a way that assesses and defines its beauty," his lives where Rei Ayanami had been an artist par excellence suddenly became handy. "If I had to guess, it's the role you're intended to fill. Taking my world, the world I'm trying to save, and ensuring that I appreciate the beauty it holds. Showing everyone the glory that exists in everything, even those things that some would find disturbing or disgusting. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder." Leaning over and kissing the top of her head, he breathed into her hair, "Also in the crook of my arm."
Cherry red, she felt her heart pounding in her chest, "So…like…a beautician for everything around you?" Her hand slowly crept over to grip his shirt, "It's my job to make things…pleasing, to you?"
"Oh yes, politely yes!" Gaghiel's dance became joyous, "The Wanderer was drawn to you by your ability to make even something distasteful appear appealing. Very powerful, for good or ill!"
Now standing before him, her hands drawing more and more of his shirt down into her grasp, it was increasingly obvious where her mind was going, "What if…I wasn't joking in the locker room?" As he dropped to one knee, evening out the height difference, she let go with one hand and instead combed her fingers through his hair, "What if I wanted to share…just not with the friend I meant that day? What if I wanted to show you how beautiful this life you have could be…if you just…share."
"I will give you whatever you want, for your first time," restraining himself to avoid disturbing Fuuka with the display of lust, he gently restrained Minami in turn. "So long as it's what you want."
"What I want is to show you the beauty of the feminine form, silly boy," her smile grew wide and eager. Bright, bubblegum pink, curls of her aura flowing about her as she leaned down to gently touch her lips to his forehead. With her lips against his skin, she whispered, "I'm going to blow your mind, senpai. Hikari, Rei, and I will make your eyes roll back, I know we will." Breathing in deeply before standing back, she looked down on him with a fire in her eyes, "I'm going to help her make this place a palace that is the envy of the known world. Just you watch." Turning to be about her work, she clapped her hands, "Ok, Fin-kun. Hikari said she wants us to make sure that the fish tanks in the common areas are all suited for the intent of the room. Let's get started!"
"Yay!" Swirling about, the youthful Aspect cheered happily, "I finally have my person!"
Sitting back on his heel, Shinji watched the pair walk away, "That…was quick."
"Some lives are easier than others to direct," Ami's voice preceded her arms around his throat as she hugged him from behind. "How does it feel, having the love of a woman you've never, ever, dated before?"
"Like I'm a terrible human being who is drawing children into my gingerbread cottage to burn them alive in my oven," he admitted honestly. "The horrifying part for me is…I feel more emotionally stable. Rei's not wrong…Ayanami, not Hino…though Rei Hino isn't usually wrong either."
"We're going to have that problem again, like we usually do," twirling around before him, the bluenette smiled sadly as she hugged his chin to her belly. "I don't think that the typical humor of calling them Rei I and Rei II will go over very well, now. I'm sure we'll figure something out though."
Staying on his knee, he ran his hands along her midsection, "Have I ever mentioned how unimaginably beautiful you are?"
"From time to time…but please, don't stop on my account." Wrinkling her nose cutely for a second she sighed and became more serious, "I hate to say it, but I should go and help with this virus issue. I just got my hands on you again…but we have a duty to save the world. If you don't mind, I'll take Kyoko-san with us. She's very intelligent, can't hurt to have her there too, you know?"
"Just so long as you know that I love you, and I'm an extremely lucky man that you forgive me." Kitten, sending reinforcements your way. Doctor Kyoko Ikari and Doctor Ami Mizuno. Expect them to…well, literally pop in.
She…well, that's lovely. We've been arguing off and on about how it would go best to ask you to sit here and let us borrow Kyoko for the better part of the day. Maya's voice held no fatigue, though it seemed drained regardless, I'm certain Kyoko knows where my lab is. Have her and Doctor Mizuno come there.
We'll be there shortly, Ami interjected politely. We'll even bring in some of the cherry pie for everyone. "I have nothing to forgive you for, you silly man." Tapping his nose with the tip of her finger, she nodded firmly. "And I love you too."
Once more alone, another pair of beings tied to his soul off to do what he himself could not, Shinji let his hands curl into fists atop his bent knee and began to recite a litany against anger. He was doing everything he could. His role was no longer to act, it was to facilitate. He was not the one to fix everything. He was the locus, the central point around which all resolutions could be found and implemented. The Judges thought to destroy his world, simply because it was his world. Those smarter than he would repair the damage…he just had to remain calm if he was going to prevent future attacks.
+++++ 15th Angel + 11: Monday, December 5th (130)
"…Happy birthday to you!" The unified, and horrifyingly mispronounced, song came to an end as a blushing and deeply embarrassed Makoto Kino was applauded on her special day. There were few hours left in that day, but the intent remained pure. Everyone applauded as she blew out one solitary candle planted in the middle of one of the pies, signifying the beginning of a new life as part of the family and unknowingly starting a new tradition.
Standing back up tall, the statuesque stunner fidgeted with her hands, "Can we cut it now? Are we done?"
"Embarrassing you? Never," Minako laughed gaily. "But we'll take a break for now to enjoy your baking before Usagi faints from lack of sugar."
"I'm fine where I am, thank you very much," the once and future Princess of the Moon Kingdom held Fuuka in her lap, while sitting next to Rei Ayanami. "These two sweethearts give me everything I need."
Shinji began doling out the confection, "So you're fine not having any?"
"Do you hear how cruel His Majesty is to us, Fuuka-chan?" Affecting a doleful, put upon, tone she hugged the younger woman to her chest, "Oh, he wants me to waste away to nothing to prove that I love you and Rei-chan so!"
The First Child tilted her head, "You are a part of his soul now, you require no caloric intake in order to survive."
"It is not what we require, sister dear," Rei Hino brought over a trio of plates for her whining leader and the two teens she was lavishing with affection. "It's what we desire. My fussy friend has always had a sweet tooth, despite only ever needing the love and affection of her family and friends. It sets a terrible example, and is immensely unladylike, but Shinji and Makoto have a way about the kitchen that even I can't abstain wholly from enjoying." Seating herself beside the bluenette, she held a plate with two slices after handing over one to each of the others, "Might I feed you? The seating here is irregular, and it wouldn't do to have you wear half of this in an attempt at joining us in celebration."
"Please do," Rei Ayanami understood that what was happening was an attempt at bonding, and accepted that it was better for the group that she not assert her attempts at independence. "As Fuuka-chan is restraining Tsukino-san from assaulting the table by main force, it is best that I turn to you for assistance. Thank you."
Misato leaned to whisper in Shinji's ear after the last of the pie had been dispensed, "Got a second?"
The realization that he actually had no reason to say 'No' struck him like a bolt from Ramiel. There was no one in his soul, neither Aspect nor spirit. Sneaking his hand into hers, he bound them upright with invisible strands of Bardiel's hair and thrust them both into his soul. For the room, only a single heartbeat passed with no one aware of their disappearance. When they returned, however, both he and his violet-haired muse were feeling much less pent up. She'd read him wonderfully, and the weeklong vacation had been spent indulging in the most indecent acts imaginable. "So, how's the pie? Any credit needs to go to the birthday girl and Hikari, though. I'll take all the blame for any shortcomings."
"I think it turned out great," Makoto announced firmly. "Which means that I get to credit you for your part in it, senpai."
Hikari, leaning against the tallest of the sailors, smiled in agreement, "It's really good. It's too bad the little ones conked out; I think they'd enjoy this a lot."
Kodama rolled her fork in the air, "I'm sure it will keep. A treat tomorrow to help them deal with the stress of the day will be welcome, I'm sure."
"You're sure I don't need to worry about gaining weight?" Minami had only taken two small bites, caution and what discipline she had preventing her from overindulging, "Because I really want to eat, like, all of this…but not if it's going to live on my belly for the next five months."
"I've been eating like a pig since I moved in," Nicolette shrugged. "Haven't gained a single pound. If you're worried, I'll put you through my workout routine." Showing off her very feminine arms by rolling up her t-shirt, she shrugged, "I wouldn't say that I'm all muscle, so you should be fine doing what I do."
"That would be super awesome," she accepted happily. Taking a moment to consider the older woman, she tilted her head, "Have you considered a darker foundation? Not that you aren't gorgeous, but a shade darker might…senpai?" When she saw she had Shinji's attention, she held out her hand, "You can make liquids, right? Can you make what I'm thinking of?" Curling her hand reflexively around a bottle of the requested makeup as he summoned it into existence, she winked her thanks, "Perfect…what's this bottle made of?"
He shrugged, "Ice. It won't melt. It's…complicated."
Tossing the offering to Nicki, she let the explanation lie, "That. It's kinda like…like baseball! Change the speed of your pitch a little, make those lovely eyes pop just a bit more?"
Akane looked around, "Anyone seen Suzuka?"
"She went to help design the Shirakami annex, the others were busy tonight," Yang gestured towards the outside. "There are some special considerations needed, and her and Iri-chan are making it very clear that the building is not considered 'military'. It's diplomacy stuff."
Tsuru nodded, "Kiyomi-san and Sachiko-san are with her, they all were discussing the kinds of questions they wanted to ask of any new officers. Suzuka-san asked that I check in on the little ones every half hour until she returns, so she may plan on being out for a while."
The ripple across the calm that Misato had gifted him was noticeable, but not overwhelming. Once again, he accepted that he couldn't insist on doing everything himself. He had people, and much like the woman he loved had said at the dinner…he had a tendency to fret in the background instead of allowing others to shine as they were capable of. If he was needed…they'd call.
+++++ 15th Angel + 12: Tuesday, December 6th (131)
The Manor was quiet, and at peace. The previously empty fields surrounding his latest home were now full of buildings, many of which were now occupied by those members of the trio of Companies that weren't on duty. Others were tearing down the tent city, reclaiming assets, continuing to ready the area to accept even more of their fellows. Activity swirled around him, songs of determination and tenacity ringing through his ears.
Seated in lotus position, bringing to bear the training the mother of his children had instilled in him, Shinji fought against the urge to roll up his sleeves and go help. He was to be an Emperor. Common, every day, tasks were not his to do. The people had their honor, he had to allow them to flex it or he was robbing them of their reason to carry on. Leaders, those over the lower enlisted doing the tasks, had to learn to lead. The more he did for them…. Damn it, Asuka.
Groaning, his meditation shattered, he hated how no matter how wrong she was…she still managed to be right. Deep breaths didn't purge the scent of her being from his nose. No amount of kisses from other women had removed the feel of her lips. She wasn't perfect for him, by any stretch of the imagination…and yet…. Standing, giving up on doing anything useful meditatively, he paced back and forth, "I can't just…go there. I'm going to do something stupid. Hikari's right, I'm setting myself up for…for something."
"Where do you feel forbidden from going, Shinji-sama?" The sound of Fuuka's approach had been covered over with the roaring debate in his mind. The shapely, amber-eyed, young woman cautiously standing before him was the picture of grace and refinement as she repeated herself, "Shinji-sama?"
The sound of the honorific grated on his nerves, turning his impulsivity to a new target, "What can I give you, right now, to stop you from adding -sama to my name?" Shoving his hands in his pockets to stop from grabbing onto her, he considered her with as much calm as he could muster, "Nothing's off the table. You ask it of me, if you feel it of equal value, and I'll seriously consider it." He knew there was a matrix of thought occurring behind her practiced gaze. Though it wasn't on the topic he'd hoped as much as whether or not asking for anything would be tantamount to violating the very notion of wifehood that was held sacrosanct in her mind, "Fuuka…." Stepping closer, he set both hands to cupping her face. There was nothing of fear in her eyes, despite him towering over her like some misshapen beast. "Just this once…set aside your worry. I swear to you, on my honor and soul, nothing you ask will cause me to set you aside. Nothing."
Timidly lifting her hands to touch his, the quaver in her voice was of anticipation, "…Kiss me? As you…as you do the others?"
Smoothing his thumbs over her cheeks, he asked the responsible question, "Are you certain?"
"Please…before…before I…."
Many of his first, genuine, kisses with the women in his life were fire and lightning. Thrilling, dangerous, experiences where he seemed to forever be behind them in terms of skill and confidence. Kissing Hikari, or Kodama, had seemed as if his world had suddenly become complete for a brief, fleeting, moment. Kissing Fuuka was, in his estimation, the opposite. There was safety, order, and dignity to the proceedings. Yes, there was a spike of lust. She was, without question, a being of beauty and poise. Only one who might never be interested in women would not at least admit that she was appealing on a physical level. But that did not rate the highest on his emotional charts at the moment. Instead….
Letting his hands drop down to her waist, he picked her up carefully and set her on the nearby bookshelf, in order to level out the height so he wasn't stooping. Whereas Tsuru, and Yang, had parted their legs to allow him to come closer to their person, Fuuka instead turned both to one side and leaned forward. A sexual being she may be, but she had never seen anything but asexual beings to compare herself to. Her actions and her thoughts were at war with one another, and the inexperience showed clearly. Yet, still, he didn't mind. Libidinous gratification wasn't screaming at him, instead….
Pulling back, and seeing his own emotional confusion reflected in her trembling stare, he whispered, "The Lover."
"With every ounce of my being. My soul. My very name…I love you so badly, my dearest Shinji." Her fingers trailed up to his neck, "I lived in fear ever since the day I was instructed in what it was to give yourself, as a woman must, to a husband. A fear that…that the first and only man I might ever know would use me to produce an heir, then cast me aside as a worthless doll." Her smile, the breaking of dawn, did not speak of fear, "How many times have I looked into your eyes and seen desire…yet you have maintained a distance between us. I…I have been confused, lost, and scared. Rei-sama…she has spoken calmly to me, assured me that you are only trying desperately to show me that my worth lies in more than…that."
"She, like usual, is right," he held himself still. "Even this much, Fuuka, is too much. You have been a victim of abuse your whole life. Your mother programming you to accept a marriage not of your own choosing. When I tried to free you from that, we ended up here. Destiny, fate, or otherwise…ethically I am furthering your abuse. But I can't insist you leave to find a man of your own choosing…because whatever I do, you'll feel. Whatever you do…." Blowing out an explosive breath, "I should probably just deal with. That's been the problem this entire time. It's selfish of me to expect all of you to not seek out other men to fill your-"
Of everything he'd expected from Fuuka, from the quiet, demure, gentle being that knew nothing but an overwhelming need to be everything she could be to succeed at the task of becoming his wife in more than implication, a ringing slap to the face was not on the docket. In truth, it had been some time since one of his wives had felt the need to attempt to turn his face sideways. That his reaction speed was as far beyond her own as the distant stars in the sky were to the Earth was the only reason she likely didn't damage her hand in the doing of it, allowing him to turn with the blow and dampen the impact on her fragile bones.
"I…require…only…." The warring impulses in her eyes as he turned back to face her spoke volumes. Her voice remained docile, but it was obvious that her lexical options were becoming more and more limited, "My…husband." Touching the tips of her fingers to his lips, she pushed through her pain, "You…shall…." Her voice failed, her shoulders bunching as if her spine had been lit aflame, "N-n-never…s-s-speak…of that…." Swallowing, twice, tears flowed down her cheeks, "Again." The final word spat out as a curse, she whimpered in remembered pain and clutched him closer as a child might to seek out their parent for protection.
Quickly summoning Shamshel's grace, he urged her to relax. The mental trauma associated with physical stimulus was something he was all too familiar with, and the first step to stopping either was to restore calm. "I won't, I'm sorry." It was an easy promise to make, seeing the toll it took on her for his sins, "I won't even allow my nightmares to be of another man touching you."
"Please…." Her voice was a pale shadow of itself, "Come sleep by me…. Don't let her hurt me…. I'm so lonely, my dearest, dearest, love. Please, don't leave me."
Her broken voice might have been enough to make him feel like tearing his own heart out…were it not for the fact that the darkest part of his mind reminded him that another beautiful, broken, woman had asked him the same thing recently. A woman he'd pushed away from him and his family. A woman he'd…. Shoving that aside for the moment he scooped the woman before him in his arms and carried her to the room he'd specifically crafted to be a place of retreat for him. On those nights where none of the women in his house were available, and he needed to lie down, the small chamber would allow him to center himself without seeming to be a place he'd spend a great deal of time. It was a balance between her desires, and his failures.
+++++ 15th Angel + 12: Tuesday, December 6th (131)
"No, no I see where you're coming from," Kyoko announced, seated on a floating cushion of nothingness as she read through the notes the trio of scientists had compiled. "This isn't a prion, and it's not a virus. So…it's also not bacterial, or fungal, or parasitic. Protozoa? That…wouldn't make any sense. There are only so many forms infectious life can take, and this clearly isn't any of the ones we're familiar with."
Ami, comfortable in a borrowed lab coat and writing short questions down on the whiteboard, chimed in with her own perspective, "There are other forms of life out there, ma'am. We've come across magical ailments, spiritual, even anti-magical. Do these…I'm sorry, Doctor, what did you call them?"
"Just Amy, dear," the alien healer waved off the title. "The Judges. This has to be partly them, and partly The Scions. They would have access to a whole host of worlds with things I am just not familiar with, to answer your question. While I do not believe in 'magic', I will not deny that it may be more advanced science than I can understand."
"A debate for another time," Maya interceded before the discussion could move off track. "What we know is that it changes depending on the host. It knows a female from a male, and it infects only a limited area of the specific sex. The MAGI agree that countering this is going to require genetic therapy, which requires removing the infection first. Otherwise, all we're doing is cleaning the kitchen before inviting the mud-covered dog back into the house."
Ritsuko was twirling her pen in a tight double arc, "We'll also have to purify the source of infection from the environment, if we're not going to vaccinate and adapt. If it's atmospheric, we'll have to scrub…everything. We need samples: air, soil, water, animal, everything. We need a test, to see if this is still active in the wild or if it's inert…that's an annoying thought. If this is an intelligent virus, capable of adapting and thinking, it's going to camouflage itself."
"Then we need a better mousetrap," Ami turned around, tapping the board. "It's rare that I end up working with women as smart as I am. These are the things I'm wondering, ladies. If I knew the answers, I wouldn't be asking the questions, so let's start brainstorming. The sooner we're done here, the sooner we can all get back to forcing Shinji-kun into rubbing our feet in the bath."
Kyoko glanced at the board, "The second one is 'Shinji Ikari'." Rotating the tablet around so everyone could see, she pointed to the screen, "Someone tinkered with the virus, for lack of a better term, and changed it so that while it rendered his sperm inert…it didn't render him sterile. That kind of singular immunity doesn't just happen at random. As genetically distinct as he is, he still existed as a human in this environment during the time the virus was active. Maybe we need more samples from him, retro-engineer something?"
"As much as I love the idea of bringing him in here and acquiring those samples," Maya gestured to the computer screen, "I have more than enough here already to validate the theory before we bring him in here for mass production."
Amy breathed out a sigh, "I…hate to say…."
"He won't blame you," Ami announced, writing down a few notes by the second question. "Even if you did this intentionally, it's just not in him to hate someone who is trying to be better. Don't hide from him, it'll only hurt him and make you more sad." Looking to Ritsuko, she gestured to the coffee pot, "Do you have a cup I could borrow?"
+++++ Author's Notes:
Well…that was a thing. I am going to state right now, clearly and plainly, that I will not be posting as frequently as I was. I'm still muddling through what life chose to gift to me, and can't give this story the full attention it deserves in addition to keeping myself above water. I, however, am also going to state clearly that this story is going to damn well be finished. I started this, and I am going to find a way to finish it.
To everyone who sent fond regards, a heart-felt thanks.
To everyone who's reading this, take care of yourself. There are people out there who care about you, and none of us is ever as alone as we believe ourselves to be.
