Chapter 18: Emergence
Shinji reached his home after being led around by his voices. Instead of a straight path toward his dwelling, they made him take a longer path and go through the grass field. With his eyes half open, he was able to walk up the steps without tripping or falling. Putting a hand on the wall for support, he made it to the front door and opened it. Reaching for a wall again after closing the door, the male pilot entered the kitchen.
Putting his backpack onto the counter, he pulled out the items inside it. There were additional ones that he scavenged from the unconscious-criminal when he knocked him out in the alleyway. First was a small plain black booklet which had names, phone numbers, and addresses. Squinting and putting the booklet closer to his face, all the names seemed female. Majority of his voices started to giggle and grin.
"…" Shinji said pulling the booklet away.
Immediately, he ripped out those written pages of names. Before his voices could say anything, he turned on the stove burner. Placing a corner of the pages near the flame, they started to catch on fire. Putting them on a deep frying pan, he turned on the overhead fan to suck out the burning smoke. Ignoring their grunts of disapproval and spoiled future fun, the Third Child put the booklet next to the home phone on the counter. Only the child version of himself and a blue-red silhouette seemed to side with his decision.
The next item was a bundle of cash of 50,000 yen. Staring at it with no particular interest, he blinked from feeling multiple hands clapping his back. Looking behind him, there was no one around. Hearing the voices snicker at him, he blinked and turned back to his bag. Last item was the criminal's handgun. He looked at it and read the side stating 'Walter PPK'. Placing it in his hand, the accent voice started giving him details about the weapons history and stats.
"…" he said with a deadpan face.
Feeling nothing from the information, he continued listening while blinking his eyes at a snail's pace. Taking out the magazine and looking at its capacity, it was full. Inspecting the chamber, no round was sitting inside. Inserting the magazine back in, he placed it on the kitchen counter.
Picking up his backpack, he lethargically made his way to the bed. Getting to the bedside, he dropped the bag. Not even taking his clothes off, he lie down and instantly fell asleep.
Later at the turn of the evening, a car was driving down the city streets to a certain place. Stopping at a stop light, the faux blonde blinked and looked at her face in the rearview mirror. Still wearing the same expression since leaving NERV. Seeing the light turn green, she drove on. Ritsuko was grumpy, overly tired, and very irritated.
She stayed at the operations side and NERV all morning and afternoon to look over the damages from the Angel battle. The positron rifle was blown to pieces. On the other hand, the concept brought ideas for a future version. The damage done on the Eva was only in the head and neck region which had its ups and downs. Its entry plug would need extensive repairs and multiple tests done to make it reusable. If not, just making a new one would probably be cheaper. So far this had been the second worse damage for Eva-01. Expense wise, it did help with not asking the UN for continuous loans.
Heading down a street, she slowed down to a stop at the curb and looked at her map. Seeing that she was on the right street, the doctor looked back at the dirt road ahead that was surrounded by a grass field. Going forward, the smooth driving sounded different going on the dirt road.
'He lives out here? Quite isolating,' she thought.
Looking around, the only house was a mile or so away. The thought of the Third Child made her head hurt. Recalling earlier, she went to the medical facility at HQ after assessing all the damages and making a report. Going to the administration desk, she asked for which room was the Third Child residing in. The administration receptionist pulled out a file that was put in the out folder which seemed strange.
"The previous person informed me that the Third Child was released early this morning."
"What?" Ritsuko said blinking looking up from the folder. "How early?"
"The note in the folder stated the exact time of admittance and discharge," the person stated. The doctor opened the folder and read the note. Blinking in confusion, she read the note again and looked at the staff member.
"Who authorized his discharge?" she asked not pleased. Telling who the doctor in charge was at the time, she immediately went to his office. Not even knocking, she opened the door to see the male doctor sitting at his desk.
"Explain this," Ritsuko said irritated extending the folder with the note.
"…" he said with a tired sigh. "Please sit Dr. Akagi."
"I am not in the mood. I want answers why you gave authorization for the Third Child's discharge. Now," she demanded narrowing her eyes. Strangely, the doctor didn't even flinch from her gaze and explained what happen. Asking about what Misato did afterwards, the doctor stated she probably went home.
'I still have a hard time believing that he conducted those screenings by himself,' Ritsuko thought. She slowed down to a stop at the Third Child's residence.
'Despite the security cameras showing him accessing the computers under various staff credentials. I will deal with Misato after dealing with him.'
She got out of her red convertible and took a look around again. The dry grass field was calf deep length but seemed oddly even as if someone trimmed them. Looking back at the building, she headed toward it tiredly. Walking up the stairs to the small patio, the doctor looked at the scene around her. The sun was slowly coming down behind the far mountains. It casted an orange tinge to the clouds roaming around in the sky.
'It's nice to get away from it all,' she thought then snapped out of the tranquil view.
Turning around, she faced the door. Ringing the doorbell, something that was playing inside stopped. No footsteps were heard when the door unlocked suddenly. It opened revealing the male pilot. His head still had bandage wrappings around it.
"Greetings Dr. Akagi," Shinji said bowing with an impassive expression.
"Evening Pilot Ikari," she said. Crossing her arms over her chest, she gave him a grave face. About to speak, he spoke first.
"How are you?"
"I am not in the mood for pleasantries" she said not changing her expression.
"I see," he said with a blink and stepped aside. He opened the door more and gestured in. "Would you care to come inside?"
"…" she said. Sighing tiredly through her nose, she spoke again.
"Fine."
Shinji nodded and opened the door more. Walking in, she took her heels off. Walking a little down the small hallway, she began looking around his apartment.
'It's smaller than mine or Misato,' she thought. Thinking of the Captain made her frown.
"Would you care for something to eat or drink?" he asked stoically.
Thinking about it, she hadn't eaten anything since the mission last evening. Seeing the made bed on the back wall in the living room was calling to her to lie down and sleep. However, she wasn't here to do any of those things. Turning around, she looked down at the pilot and crossed her arms in front of her chest again.
"If you wish to discussion something Dr. Akagi, I will step up a table and chairs," he spoke first.
"No. You are in serious trouble," she spoke gravely not breaking her stance.
"..." the boy said with a lethargic blink. "May I ask what I have done to cause trouble?"
"…" Ritsuko stated narrowing her eyes. "You really have a lot of guts playing innocent."
"…" Shinji said. Hearing an adult voice's presence nearby, a nerve in his head twitched a little.
"I am confused Dr. Akagi. Do you not have all the screenings and test results necessary to make your report?"
"I am going to ask you questions and I want a straight answer for each one. I am not in the mood for any bullshit," she stated ignoring his question.
"...I see...very well."
"Who authorized you to operate the medical equipment?"
"No one."
"How did you access the staff's credentials to use the equipment?"
"Would saying my voices informed me be acceptable?"
"No," Ritsuko stated sternly despite knowing he had a mental disorder.
"I see. I can't answer that question."
"I am warning you pilot."
"What else do you wish to ask me Dr. Akagi?" Shinji said unfazed by her serious gaze.
"…" the scientist said.
Trying not to get too angry, being too tired and hungry made her feel more irritable than normal. However, the eerie feeling of the Third Child was present. Being in the hallway, the only light that was shining in was a light orange haze through the kitchen. Though she could see him clearly, his aura was getting closer to when she felt creep out.
"Why did you leave the medical facility?"
"The doctor on duty gave me authorization to leave."
"Did he inform you that Captain Katsuragi ordered you to not leave?"
"He informed me that Captain Katsuragi told him to keep me at the medical facility as long as possible. She didn't order me to stay at the time."
"Did she afterwards?"
"When I rendezvous with Pilot Ayanami later, yes."
'Rendezvous with the Ayanami?!,' Ritsuko thought. Blinking a couple of times, the information was a surprise.
'That is new.'
"You met up with the First Child after leaving the medical facility?" she asked confused.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"She wanted to continue the discussion we had prior to entering our Evas at midnight."
"…!?" Ritsuko said.
Feeling her mouth open in surprise, she blinked again. Seeing if there was any sign of bluffing, his expression was impassive and his gaze at her was uncomfortable. She started to feel her mind grinding hard. The lack of sleep and food was making her feel queasy. This new information about the First Child was a complete curve ball. Her ill attitude toward his actions was fading away a little.
"…The First Child wanted to continue a discussion you two were having?" Ritsuko asked. Putting a hand on the side of her face, she started to feel nauseous.
"Correct," he said with a blink. "Are you feeling alright Dr. Akagi?"
"…" she said pinching the bridge of her nose. "You said Misato ordered you to not leave the medical facility after meeting the First Child. Correct?"
"Yes."
"Why did you disobey her order?" the scientist asked. Putting her hand back on the side of her face, she didn't look or feel well.
"I told her that she was abusing her position of power."
'You have got to be kidding me,' she thought. Closing her eyes, multiple emotions were swelling inside of her along with the queasiness. Placing her other hand around her stomach, it didn't make her feel better.
"Why did…you…say that?" she said feeling light headed. She failed to hear what the male pilot stated as she felt her vision starting to become blackened. The last conscious feeling she had was suddenly having no strength and falling forward.
"…" Shinji said.
Catching the doctor by the shoulders, he slowly and gently set her down on the floor. Standing back up and looking down at her, the doctor seemed to have fainted. A couple of voices giggled all around him. One of the voices grabbed both sides of Shinji's head and turned him to the kitchen counter. The pistol was in his line of sight.
"Hee hee hee…make her go out with a bang," the accented one stated evilly.
"Wait a minute," the adult voice stated adjusting his glasses. "I will handle this one personally."
"Oh? You?" the other voices spoke at the same time then turned into distortion. "GoInG tO pLaY dOcToR?"
"Hmm," the adult silhouette said. As the rest of its body started take form, he had a shine in his green eyes and grinned evilly.
"…" Shinji said. Blinking impassively at nothing, he felt his right eye twitch. He bowed to the air and went into the kitchen.
"Very well sir."
Ritsuko felt that she fell into a light sleep as darkness took over. It was replaced with sporadic images of yesterday and other portions of dreams she had been having. Strangely, the images started shifting slowly and became blurry. After a couple of moments, the environment started to become clearer. It appeared that she was in an apartment of some kind. Not recognizing it as anyone's she knows, she tried standing up.
'I can't move,' she thought. There were a couple of dreams where the scientist had very slow movement or everything felt dull
Sounds around her seemed very muffled and distant. A soft sound of hollow wind going through the apartment was coming from different directions. Looking up, the front door was different than the Third Child's door. There were thin windows on it and appeared to be waving like underwater. Light was coming through and gave a daytime setting.
Strangely, she heard something playing the background. It sounded like a string instrument that was phasing up and down. It suddenly stopped with high end strings shrieking upwards and echoing. Feeling slight tense form the sound, she listened carefully. There were soft booming footsteps that echoed in her ears.
The sound was getting closer. It made her edgy that she was still not able to turn around to see who it is. The footsteps passed her and started fading with a soft sounding chuckle; however, it sounded more monstrous than a person. Small metallic noises ringed followed by the sound of water running. It sounded more like a waterfall hitting the ground.
A sound of a creaking faucet turned off made goosebumps flare on her skin. The footsteps were coming back toward her and stopped. A presence stood next to her in which she saw a large shadow on the wall in front of her. It made her eyes widen a little from not knowing what shape the shadow was. Feeling the presence get closer, Ritsuko closed her eyes and tried to wake up.
'I'm dreaming...I'm just dreaming,' she thought repetitively.
Despite doing that, the presence was now hovering over her. Unable to open her mouth to shout, hands gripped her shoulders. Feeling a cold shudder, they pulled her and turned her over on her back. Keeping her eyes closed in fear of what the unknown figure would do, she started to shake. The scientist then felt the person's arms go under her knees and around her mid-back.
Lifting her up with ease, Ritsuko felt surprised but kept her eyes closed. Strangely, the sounds around her were starting to sound normal. It was as if she was slowly becoming more awake. The person then started walking forward. Slowly opening her eyes, the faux blonde looked at who was carrying her.
"…!?" she said.
Opening her mouth in surprise, her eyes widen. The individual carrying her looked very close to the Commander. He looked around her age and seemed taller than her by an inch or two. Carrying the same facial features as Gendo, his face held a slight youth with his handsome and strong features. The man had glasses over his green eyes instead of brown.
They emitted kindness and charm. His hair was a little longer but still had the same style. Instead of the NERV uniform, he wore casual clothing. One thing stood out that made her feel her heart beat a little faster. The look alike stopped at the bed side still holding her and looked at her with his lady-killer smile.
'Am I dreaming?' she thought.
Though unsure, she didn't look away from him. The scientist then felt his body which made her quiver with delight. The arms that held her felt soft to the touch but strong at the same time. His torso was to the point of being toned but not rock hard. Pulling the sheets back with one foot, he placed Ritsuko down which she didn't let go at first.
"Hmm, need more attention Ritsuko?" the man spoke. Smiling with slyness, she recoiled a little from the similar voice. However, it made her want more. The comment he gave made her gave a small smile but was still in surprise.
'This can't be real but…,' she thought feeling herself warm up more. He noticed that she was looking at him with disbelief which he smirked at. Moving till his face was inches away from hers, her eyebrows rose but still didn't move or let go.
"You seem to be a bit jumpy today," he said with a small chuckled then grinned. "Let me calm those nerves of yours."
"...!?" she said. Her eyes widen as he leaned and kissed her on the lips. Immediately analyzing on what was happening, she started to relax and melt a little.
'Oh god…his lips are so soft and warm,' she thought.
Closing her eyes, she returned the kiss which made her feel warmer. After a minute, she felt his tongue glide along her lips. Being seductive in trying to get in, she opened her mouth. Placing her arms around his neck, their tongues wrestled a little for dominance. He lied on top of her wrapping his arms around her lower and upper back.
'This is what I wanted from that bastard,' she thought moaning a little from the necking.
After some minutes of kissing and hand gliding, she broke the kiss. Trying to understand what was going on, deciphering if this was real or a dream was extremely difficult. Breathing harder from their embraced and lip locking, she looked up about to say something. She saw the look alike looking down at her. He had the same a warm smile and still embraced her.
"Dr. Akagi," a familiar voice called for the tenth time.
Ritsuko blinked and saw the Third Child carrying her. Blinking several times, she looked around slowly with lost eyes. She wasn't in bed and the sheet cover was down. The apartment was not bright though a ceiling light was dimly lit. Looking back, part of the Third Child's face was hidden in a shadow. However, the boy's purple eyes bore at her with an stoic expression. Feeling that she responded, he set her down. Pulling her hands around his neck off and to her side, he pulled the bed sheet up to her neck.
"Is there anything I can help you with Dr. Akagi?" Shinji asked.
"…" the scientist said. Still looking at him with a lost expression, she tried speaking. Her voice did not come both the lost feeling mixing with the remaining emotions in her vivid dream. Also, the murky aura that the male pilot was emitting was adding to emotional mixing pot.
"Dr. Akagi?" he asked tilting his head a little.
"…y-yes?" Ritsuko replied finally. However, it came out as a whisper.
"Do you care to eat something before resting?"
"…n-no…"
"Very well. Shall I play to aid you in sleeping?"
"…okay…"
He bowed slightly and went to the chair that had a cello on it. Picking it up and sitting down, he leaned the instrument's neck on his left shoulder. Picking up the bow, he began playing. It was not a tune she recognized. It seemed mystical and spacey. Ritsuko stared at Shinji for a while in a questioning/lost gaze for what just happened.
'…I guess it really was a dream…' she thought. Turning to the ceiling and looking at it, another thought came across her mind.
'What a minute…he did carry me into bed…is he really that strong?' she thought. Looking back at him, he continued to play with his eyes closed. She then recalled the day when Misato seemed awfully cheery.
Some time ago, both were sitting down on a bench at NERV HQ chatting. Footsteps were heard down the hallway and both saw the Third Child walking by. What caught her attention was the Captain was being quite playful toward the boy. Thinking that she was drunk, she watched with humor. Though at the same time, was curious.
The male pilot stopped and bowed to them. He said his usual lines to both of them and shook their heads. The pilot bowed and said his exiting line. Misato waved at him with her fingers and smiled watching him walk away. Curious, she asked her what happened between them.
"You'll know," the Captain told her with a grin.
Ritsuko now had a far idea what she meant and smirked. She let out a sigh and tried to calm down. Listening to the music for a while and getting more comfortable in the bed, she started to fall asleep. Wondering if she'll dream of the altered Gendo again, her eyes felt heavy and closed. Hours upon hours went by as she slept peacefully even after the Third Child stopped playing. Only the adult voice volunteered to keep the boy and woman company.
When morning came around, there was one person at NERV that was missing. To say Misato was curious was an understatement. She called the doctor's house, but only got the answering machine with a cat meowing in the background. Checking her office, she wasn't there.
Checking the other areas that Ritsuko would be, she wasn't there either. Nobody at NERV had seen or heard of scientist since the previous night. Deciding to go back to her office, the Captain began going through the daily paperwork. Not getting much done, she wondered about if her friend was okay. Another thought came to her of the Third Child which made her frown a little. Ignoring it, she went back to her paperwork.
"…" Misato said looking down at the documents below.
She grunted and narrowed her eyes. The thought about the two individuals kept nagging her. Sighing in frustration, she decided to take a break. Grabbing something to drink, a thought came to her and headed to the shooting range. Reaching it, she looked inside to see it empty.
Walking in, the atmosphere didn't smell of gunpowder. Heading toward the armory storage room, she opened the door. Entering and turning on the light, she went to one of the gun racks. Putting her hand on the handgun that only Shinji used, it was cold. Picking it up and smelling it, there was no gunpowder scent on it.
'I see that he hasn't been here today,' she thought. Putting everything back and away, she walked out of the shooting range.
"Could it be a coincidence?" the Captain spoke out loud.
Walking back to her desk, she sat down and narrowed her eyes at the paperwork again. Deciding to put a hold on her work, she tried to figure out what happened to both of them. Though not feeling like talking to him, the Third Child was her only source. She did know what snowball affect would occur from what happen earlier.
'I did hear from staff that she came to the medical facility and wanted to rip his head off...she left probably to go to his house and rip him a new one,' she thought. Going to her computer, she pulled up his profile on her database. Seeing the Third Child's number, she picked up her office phone. Dialing, it rang twice before being picked up.
[Hello, Shinji Ikari residents] the impassive voice came on the line.
"Hey Shinji," she said. Remembering what happened yesterday in the early morning, she frowned. Sighing internally, she brushed off her emotion and tried acting professional.
[Greetings Miss Misato...how are you...today?]
'You sound like a rain of sunshine,' she thought feeling herself frown again. Shaking her head, she cleared her mind.
"I'm doing alright. Did Ritsuko visit you recently?"
[Yes]
"Do you know where she is right now?" Misato asked then heard a moan in the background.
[Yes]
"…?" Misato said. Thinking the moan sounded familiar, her mind was starting to turn quickly. However knowing her friend, she wasn't the playful type. It got her thinking that the boy did something to her.
[Is there anything else you wish to know?]
"Where is she?"
[In bed] the reply came making her eyebrows shoot up. Her mind was active with imagination.
"Where are you?"
[In the kitchen]
"What is she doing?"
[Sleeping]
'God damnit! Spill out the juicy details!' she mentally yelled at the phone. Calming herself down, she continued.
"So what happened between you two?"
[We discussed a little bit about what occurred yesterday morning before she fainted] Shinji said walking toward the living room.
"Fainted?! Is she alright?" the Captain asked with worry.
[Yes...she is-] he began to say when he was interrupted.
[Shooojjji…get back in…bed…your mistress isn't…done yet,] a sleepy and sly voice went off in the background smiling broadly. Misato's eyes widen a little hearing her friend's sleepy voice and the rustle of bed sheets.
[...doing quite…dandy it seems Miss Misato] he said in a deadpan tone. The Captain tired to hold her building laughter, but snickers and tears were creeping through. Hearing this, the boy headed back to the kitchen.
"Shinji…is she…d-dreaming?!" she asked beginning to crack in laughter.
[Yes] came the same calm reply. In the kitchen, he held the receiving end of the phone in his palm and blinked.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the Captain roared with laughter.
Falling off her chair, she landed on the floor without hurting herself. After a minute of laughing, she tried calming down. Climbing back into her chair quickly, she wiped the tears that came though snickering still. Taking deep breaths and closing her eyes, she picked up her phone. Feeling reach, she put it next to her ear.
[Is there anything else you wish to know?] he asked. Another moan from far away was heard in the background.
"…" Misato said trying to hold her snickering. Hearing the Captain about to crack again, the Third Child blinked and put his hand on the receiving end again.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Misato shouted in laughter. Staying in her seat this time, she held onto the phone in one hand. Pounding her desk with other, she continued with mirth. NERV staff passing by her office turned and looked at the fits of laughter coming from her closed office door. A minute or so later, she calmed down again.
"Okay," Misato said. Fanning herself to cool off, she still had a grin on her face.
"So when you two talked, did she rip you a new one?"
[No. I only have one…still]
"Hee hee…ow, my sides…okay, no more laughter."
[Very well. Is there anything else Miss Misato?]
"Hmm," she thought. Still grinning from the humor, she also thought of how much blackmail and teasing material she had.
"How long has she been there?"
[Since yesterday evening.]
"I see, could you reminder her when she wakes up that me and her have to go to a meeting about the Jet Alone Project in a week? She'll know what I mean."
[Would that be the mechanized humanoid robot, powered by a nuclear reactor, and an AI as the operating system?]
"..." Misato said. Blinking a couple of times, she pulled the phone away and looked at it.
"How did he know that?" she asked it.
[The walls have ears even when no one is there. I will tell her when she awakens. Until we meet again, good day Miss Misato] the phone said as the line clicked.
Misato looked at the phone as if it was something of astonishment and evil wonder. A cold chill went down her spine as she slowly put the phone in its slot. Ignoring it, she immediately thought about what occurred over the phone. Feeling the giggles coming again, Misato got up and went for a stroll. Staff saw her humming cheerfully as she walked down the hallway.
After the phone call, Shinji started to hear someone stirring in the living room. Heading toward it, Ritsuko slowly sat up. Rubbing her face a little, she felt refreshed and stretched forgetting where she was.
"Was your sleep well Dr. Akagi?" a voice called to her. Remembering where she was, she turned to see the Third Child standing a few feet away.
"Yes, it was," she said with a small smile at him.
"That is good to hear. Miss Misato called to remind you about the Jet Alone meeting next week."
"Oh, okay. Thanks," she said and watched him nod slightly.
"Would you care for something to eat?"
"That is okay," she said standing up. "I'm heading home anyway."
"Very well. When you are ready to leave, please let me know. I will be in the kitchen," he said and turned around.
"…?" the scientist said.
Watching the pilot turn into the kitchen down the hallway, she saw morning light enter in the room. Blinking and looking around, she saw that the space was a bit bare. Other than a couple of personal belongs, there wasn't much personality in here. Standing up, Ritsuko headed for the bathroom. Once finished, she exited and headed toward the kitchen. Upon entering, he saw him put something together in a lunch box. Closing it, he reached into a cabinet and grabbed a reusable glass with a lid. About to open the refrigerator, he turned to her.
"My apologizes Dr. Akagi, I am almost finished," Shinji stated. Getting out an orange juice container, he poured it into the cup. Putting it away, he popped the lid on and grabbed both. Turning around, he handed both to her.
"What's this?" Ritsuko stated with surprise. She grabbed hold of both and looked back at him.
"In case you become famished before returning to your home. Are you ready?"
"…" she said with a small smile at the gesture and nodded.
"I shall escort you."
"I'm flattered."
He opened the door and gestured her to move ahead. When both got to the car, Shinji opened the driver door and held it for her. She smiled at him being a gentleman but faltered a little. He never broke from his stoic expression just like another Eva pilot.
"Is there anything else Dr. Akagi?" he asked after closing the car door.
"…" she said. Blinking and looking at him, she lowered the window. Motioning him with an index finger, he walked up to the driver side and leaned down a little.
"Two things Ikari," she said sweetly. Giving a small smile, she pinched one of his cheeks.
"One, any future incidents where you are injured, you are hereby ordered to stay in the medical facility until I personally discharge you. Is that clear?"
"Yessh Dr. Akaagii," Shinji said as best as possible. He kept an impassive face not winching from his cheek being pinched and pulled. Smirking with mild mirth, Ritsuko let go of his cheek. Looking back, he still was in the same position looking stoically at her. She was slowly getting use to his gloomy gaze.
"Two, allow me to help you when you are hurt. I am responsible for your health and wellness. Is that understood?" she stated. Dropping her smile, she looked at him with a serious face.
"…" the pilot said not changing an expression. Standing straight, he took a step back and bowed.
"Very well. Good day Dr. Akagi."
Turning her car on, she waved to him before turning around and going down the dirt road. He turned around and headed back to his house to rest for the day.