Chapter 138: Psychological Consent
Kaworu followed Rana down the stairs until they reached outside. Catching up to her, she was scanning around and below from the upstairs walkway. Seeing many students walking about, it seemed as if the entire school student population was there. Both blinked in surprise.
"There is a lot of students here," he commented seeing her still searching. "Do twins have a way to feel where the other one is?"
"If that is possible without a GPS device or tracker, I wouldn't be standing here," the female twin remarked looking anxious.
"Curious, can Ikari move fast with all those old injuries on his skin?"
"…" Rana responded blinking and pausing before looking again. "I haven't personally seen how fast he is capable of. He knows how to drive a car to its limits without crashing…I don't know if he is in this crowd or not."
'…there are too many lilims here for me to sense where Ikari is specifically…' Kaworu thought. '…strange…I can't sense Ayanami's presence either…is she avoiding detection purposefully?'
"Does a health check take long?"
"It shouldn't so they wouldn't be at the nurse's office," she mentioned starting to nibble on her right thumbnail. "Maybe they went back to the classroom…I know Ayanami is not too big on crowds."
"…" the Sixth Child said seeing her walk down the walkway to the stairs.
Following her down the steps, he noticed something was off. Despite the numerous amount of students walking, standing, sitting, or eating their lunch, the couples were seen as well. Seeing some in discreet areas, there was more seen in plain view. A part of him wanted to observe them more; however, the other part of him wanted to follow the female twin.
'…given that it is not deemed good in public setting…why are all of them not bothered by it…I don't understand.'
Rana was unable to run given how many students were on the ground level. Despite thinking that seeing so many in the courtyard alone was odd, she continued to head toward the homeroom. The drive to try to explain what happened when the Third Child saw them still pushed her forward. Walking quickly, Kaworu was following behind her.
Seeing their homeroom up ahead, there were students on the staircase and upstairs walkway. Walking pass them and reaching the front entrance door, both entered. There were a few students that were in the classroom. Sitting at their seats, Ayanami was looking out the window with a neutral expression. Shinji was sitting alone and had his eyes closed. To their immediate left, Toji and Kensuke were eating their lunch while discussing about a topic.
"…" Rana commented. Relieved to see him, a part of her wondered why Ayanami was sitting by herself. Shaking her head a little, she proceeded forward toward the male pilot.
'I'll explain what happened and everything will be okay,' she thought stopping in front of him. His eyes were still closed appearing to be resting.
'He's not an instant sleeper,' the female twin pondered feeling nervous. 'I'll just have to face whatever he states and disprove it.'
"Yes Miss Rana…Mr. Kaworu?" Shinji spoke quietly slowly opening his eyes. His dark magenta eyes did not have a glow to them as he stared at them stoically.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Are you resting Ikari?" the Sixth Child asked with a small smile on his face.
"Yes," he stated with a blink.
"…about…about what you saw," Rana began quietly looking at him a little tense. "We…we weren't doing anything."
"…" the Third Child responded with another blink.
"I invited Rana for a private chat. Is that a problem?" Kaworu asked.
"I don't believe so," he replied slowly moving his eyes to look at the Sixth Child. "Did you two enjoy yourselves?"
"…" Rana reacted flinching a little. She opened her mouth when Kaworu spoke first.
"I did. It was informative from what she showed and explained," he answered with friendly smile.
"…" the Third Child commented slowly moving his eyes toward the female twin and blinked. She slammed her hands on his desk and leaned forward toward him with a serious face.
"We just talked! That's it!"
"…" Shinji stated staring at her not moving or flinching from the sudden slam.
The Sixth Child noticed from her small outburst, the students in the classroom stopped what they were doing. Each of them were staring at their direction. Looking closer at the First Child, he couldn't tell what her expression was. She had a hand cupping her chin and mouth to hold up her head. Looking back at the Third Child, he slowly closed his eyes.
"…I…see…"
'Gosh that meeting took so long,' Hikari stated climbing up the stairs to her homeroom. 'Took almost all of lunch period…at least I will get some time alone to myself before class starts.'
Entering in the classroom, she blinked in surprise from who was in. All the Eva pilots were sitting in their seats. They were not sitting or standing near each other. Rana looked like she was fretting. Kaworu looked deep in thought. Rei was staring out the window. Shinji was sitting with his eyes closed. Looking to her left, she saw the two stooges quietly eating their lunch. Putting her stuff down, she sat in her seat.
'…this is…different,' she thought glancing at everyone. 'Wonder if something happened.'
"Can you believe that is happening around campus?" Kensuke stated in a whisper. He had his back toward the other students and faced the same wall where the classroom doors were on.
"I know man. Seeing them do that with no shame…its aggravating," Toji whispered facing the same direction. He looked annoyed having a fist on his cheek to hold up his head.
"Those rumors about student couples being bold on campus seemed to be getting larger."
"Tch. I know man! We are so unlucky," the Fourth Child stated a little louder. Both of them heard someone walking to them and immediately pinched their ears.
"Quiet. Come with me," the Class Rep stated. Letting go of their ears, she headed toward the back entrance door.
'Ah man…what did I do now!?' Toji thought sighing out loud. Both him and Kensuke got up and followed Horaki to the walkway outside the homeroom. Seeing the Class Rep turn around, she put her hands on her hips.
"What are these rumors that you two were talking about?"
"You mean the ones were student couples are acting out more in public?" Kensuke asked.
"Explain more," she said not changing her expression.
"Nothin' that big. Just observations we see around here," Toji said with shoulder shrugs.
"Really?" Hikari stated narrowing her eyes a little.
"You mean ya don't see what's happenin' down there?" the Fourth Child stated jerking his thumb towards the courtyard areas.
"…no…I see those rumors," the Class Rep said softening her expression. "All the Class Reps were whispering about it during our committee meeting…all of us don't know why it is happening all the sudden."
"Is there some kind of event or competition the school hasn't announced yet?" Aida asked adjusting his glasses.
"Not that I know of," she stated shaking her head.
"Maybe everyone are like cats in heat or something," Toji mentioned with a smirk on his face. Expecting her to snap at him, she looked deep in thought instead.
"…?" both male students reacted blinking then looking at each other.
As the day went on, the rumors continued to spread. During the remaining classes, various students were reflecting about their actions. Rei was trying to contain her urges and impulses that surged after the physical health check during lunch. Despite being able to hug Shinji and getting satisfaction from it, it didn't seem enough. Kaworu was trying to analyze and process the new emotions and sensations that he was feeling. After the discussion with the female twin, the information provided was new and made him more curious.
Despite orders to gain the trust of the Eva pilots and the NERV staff from his superiors, a growing part of him wanted to not follow them. In his chest, a sensation would slowly fester to the point that it caused him to ache. It seemed that his heart was yearning for something more from the Third Child. At the same time, he felt a similar yearning for Rana. Despite the gender difference between the two, he was perplexed. Both of them acted and behaved differently; however at the same time, both of them caused him to have these emotions and sensations. Before he was given the ultimate orders, he wanted to explore the emotions and sensations to the fullest.
Rana had calmed down and tried to not become overly anxious. Analyzing on what happened, the misunderstanding, and the outcome from being spotted, she reflected on how to recover from it. Making a decision, she would stick close to Shinji and never leave his side. Based on how both Rei and Kaworu were behaving, many flags were being raised in her mind. She felt the need to protect him from them and keep them from stealing him. She was determined to prove he was the only one she will ever look at and stay with.
When the last period ended, Hikari watched the four Eva pilots put their stuff away. Unlike yesterday in which they were going toward the Third Child, each took their time. Uncharacteristically, Shinji was the first to finish gathering everything. Putting on his backpack, he turned toward Rana and spoke a few words. Seeing her reply back and not stand up, he gave a head nod. Kaworu came to him and stated a few words as well. The Sixth Child turned around with hands in his pocket and walked out of the classroom.
'Did something happen during lunch period?' she thought seeing Rana continue to sit down and do paperwork of some kind.
Looking back at Ayanami, she had gotten out her mobile phone and was reading something. Closing it, she stood up and grabbed her bag. Walking toward where the Third Child stood, she spoke a few words to him. Seeing him nod, Rei almost looked like she did not want to part from him. Walking toward the front door, she turned around and gave him a small wave. Seeing him raise his hand and blink at her, she turned around and left.
'Something must have happened,' Horaki thought surprised from seeing Ikari walking out of the classroom alone. Seeing his stoic expression, her curiosity about asking him was building. Stopping herself, she heard him go down the stairs at a calm pace.
'I mustn't pry…I mustn't pry…I mustn't pry,' the Class Rep continued to think to herself.
Getting up and collecting her things, she gave a glance back at Rana. She was still busy writing stuff down on the papers that were on her desk. Shaking her head, she exited the classroom. Looking down the stairs, the male pilot was seen at the bottom. Seeing him about to continue forward, he suddenly stop and slowly turned to his left. Going toward the other side of the stairs, he was out of sight. Going down the stairs as quietly as she could, she was able to hear familiar voices.
"Are you feeling okay Shin-man?" Toji asked.
"Yes Mr. Suzuhara. Why do you ask?"
"Well…knowing how this school is, rumors fly around pretty fast."
"We heard that a couple of students saw your sister and that new transfer student in a janitor closet together during lunch," Kensuke mentioned in a worried tone.
'…!?' Hikari thought with a surprised face. Placing a hand over her mouth, it prevented her from making a sound.
"I see," the Third Child stated without a change of tone or expression.
"Do ya know if it's true?" Toji asked.
"…" he replied. Blinking slowly, he ignored the pseudo grin felt on his face. "Yes…it is true."
"What!? No way!" the Fourth Child said with a surprised voice.
'…what!?…' the Class Rep thought shocked. Moving a little more down, she peered over the side railing. She was able to see the sides of the three male students below.
"How do you know if it is true Ikari?" Kensuke asked with a surprised face.
"…" Shinji answered feeling his right eye twitch a little. That seemed to catch the attention of the three people looking at him. Ignoring the one staring from the stairs, he blinked.
"I saw them when I opened the janitor door."
"…holy shit man…" Toji said crossing his arms in front of his chest. "…what were they doin-"
"Shhh. Quiet down Toji," Aida said hitting the jocks arm. "You'd be just as angry if that guy was going after your sister."
"Damn straight. I'd kill that bi-bastard if he stepped near my little sis," he stated firmly.
"To answer your question Mr. Suzuhara…I believe they were engaging in a form of PDA."
'…no way…but he was…after Ikari…his real intention was,' Horaki thought feeling angry for him. 'That scumbag.'
"That's it. That homo-sis stealing fag needs an ass whoopin'" Toji spoke angrily. Throwing a fist into his other hand, a smack was heard.
"You're with me, right Shin-man?"
"I appreciate your concern and support Mr. Suzuhara. I would like you to please not interfere with the choice that Miss Rana has taken."
"You mean…she likes him?" Kensuke asked. He moved his glasses up that dropped down his nose a bit.
"A person would not engage in a form of affection if they did not like the other in some form or way Mr. Aida."
"But…weren't you with Ayanami at the nurse's office for her check up?"
"You are correct. However given that a physical health check for one person went without any issues or concerns…" Shinji reasoned slowly blinking with a small pause. "…it was relatively short."
"That guy's a snake. I was totally convinced that he was a freakin' homo and after you man," the Fourth Child commented with a huff.
"He did seem to give that indication from how forward he was Mr. Suzuhara."
"Are you angry about it?" Kensuke asked.
"…" the Third Child responded blinking and tilting his head a little. No cracks were heard from his neck.
"Given that Miss Rana was unharmed when I found them, I am not upset…in actuality…I feel I need time to process what this will mean going forward."
"Well, you got us two Shin-man," Toji stated coming up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you need something or anything, you let us know. Right Kensuke?"
"Yeah! You do so much for all of us since being here. We got your back," the freckled student stated with a smile.
"…" Shinji said blinking a couple of times. Slowly bowing his head, he looked back up.
"Thank you gentlemen…that was…very kind of you to say," he said keeping a stoic face; however, one of the three watching him noticed a change in his expression.
"What's this? Don't get mushy on us Shin-man," Toji commented smiling and letting go of his shoulder.
"…I see…I will refrain from using such…soft words and phrases."
"Just lighten up man! Hey, me and Kensuke were going to go to the arcade. You want to come along?"
"I appreciate the offer gentlemen, but I must decline," he said with a small bow. "I already had plans afterschool…my apologises gentlemen."
"No worries man. Just let us know and we can hang out anytime," Aida stated with a smile.
"Thank you. Until we see each other again, good day," he replied with another bow. Turning around, he began walking in the direction of the school gate.
"You think he will be alright?" Kensuke asked looking at Toji.
"Shin-man is a tough guy," he answered putting his hands in his pockets. "Though he may cold and collected, he still is human. Come on, let's go hit the arcade."
"…" Hikari stated. Hearing the two male students walk away, she turned to look at the male pilot walking away alone. Feeling sorry for him, she thought about following him.
'No,' she thought shaking her head. 'He stated he needed space…I'll check in with him tomorrow morning to make sure he is okay.'
While Shinji was walking down the sidewalk, he did not go in the direction of the apartment complex. Instead, he went toward a shop that he had not visited in some time. After several minutes had passed, he came to a familiar intersection. Recalling the flashbacks of coming down this way the first time, he waited for the traffic light to change. Crossing the road when it lit green, he continued down the sidewalk. Looking forward and blinking, he saw the shop in the distance.
Reaching and stopping in front of it, it still looked the same on the outside. Walking up to the front door, he peered inside. Looking at the bell that was attached to the inside door handle, he entered. It ringed a little before dying down to nothing. Inside the pawn shop, he looked around. There were a couple of things that had moved or been removed. Looking at the counter, it had looked the same since he was last in here.
Walking up to the counter, the owner did not seem to be on the other side. Looking at the service bell, Shinji pressed it. Hearing no ring, he looked for anything to hit it with. Seeing a miniature metal mallet nearby, he picked it up. Hitting the bell not too soft, it made a metallic ring sound. Shuffling was heard from behind the cover drapes going into the back of the store. A silhouette was seen before it came through. Seeing who it was, the male pilot bowed.
"Greetings sir. How are you?"
"…i…S..t-tttt…h…a…t…y…o…u…WHERE...WHY?" the older man stated whispering before shouting.
"…" Shinji reacted blinking and looking at the shop owner.
The older man was still in his orange jumpsuit; however, there were alterations to him. He looked much thinner as his collar bones were apparent under his skin. His hands were trembling at a constant shaking rate. Dark circles surrounded his eyes as if they sank in a little into his skull. Veins were seen on his weathered skin. Fingernails were long and short in different lengths and chipped.
"Yes sir."
"I have…awakened TO THE anvil of sYnThEt-t-t-t-tic mOnEy…the fame…it showers-where are I?"
"I can see that sir. Are you open for business by chance?"
"THEY TAKE! I BLEED! The world of has-beens can/CaN/CANNNNNNNOOOOTTTT…s…t…a…t…e…shh…shhh…they…k…n…o…w…" the old man stated. He became very animated looking at everything around him and up at the ceiling before bending forward a little. His hands were in front of his face to indicate to be quiet. Drool was coming out of the side of his mouth.
"…how troublesome sir…"
"NOOO! ITSSSSSSS YOU!" the owner stated with a loud groan and pointed at something to Shinji's right.
"…" the Third Child responded blinking but didn't turn his head. Feeling the malice and corruption next to him, he looked slowly with his eyes.
"Greetings sir."
'GrEeTiNgS#$%#$mYsEeD,' the dark clone stated in slow motion. 'ArEyOuPrEpArInGfOrApArTy?'
"If that is what you would like to call it sir, then yes."
'HOWFUN!' it shouted loudly. It made the old man tremble and fall to the ground. He slowly held his head.
"…" Shinji said slowly blinking.
'#$HAHAHAHAHA%#$hhheeeeee#$%#$#$%#$AAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!' Sid blared so loud that the male pilot felt his ears burst.
Blinking and wincing a little from the immense pain, he couldn't hear anything outside of his body. Feeling just the vibrations of things, he tried moving forward and fell to the ground. All sense of balance was lost as he was able to catch himself before face planting the floor. Blinking from seeing his vision begin to pulsate, he started crawling around the counter. Going through drapes to the backroom, he began to look for something. It didn't take him long to find the items. Crawling back to the sales floor area, it had turned into a bloodbath.
Seeing everything being replaced with bleeding body parts, all of them twitched and moved a little. Getting closer to the older man, his body was rotting away. Lying on the floor, the male pilot could only hear shallow breathing from the old man. Looking at his eyes, they were blown apart from their sockets. Clear fluid, blood, and flesh hanged out as every inch of him was coated with crimson and the insides of dead people.
"…" Shinji said slowly turning over to lie on the floor. Feeling himself slowly sink into a crimson colored quicksand, he leaned forward to look at his left arm. Getting one of the clean syringes out of its package, he injected it into a vein at the bottom of his upper arm. Ignoring the fire-hose gushing of blood that exploded the vial of the needle apart, he slow pulled the plunger lever back to draw blood into the capsule.
Stopping at a certain length, he carefully pulled the syringe out. Getting out the small bottle of rubbing alcohol, he opened it. An aroma of death and decay came out and filled the male pilot's nostrils. Holding his breath, he dripped the needle into the bottle several times. Each time he pulled it out, he took a small cloth and wiped it. On the last wipe, the needle broke off and the syringe disintegrated into powder.
"…" Shinji said blinking a couple of times.
Feeling nothing in his hand, he grabbed an imaginary syringe where it was last in his hand. Looking over at the old man, he was a skeleton. All skin and inners were melting off his body and sinking into the floor. Feeling both eyes twitch, he looked down at the right hand of the skeleton. Grasping at were the wrist would be, he brought the imaginary syringe to it. Feeling no penetration and guessing where the vein was, he pushed the plunger lever toward the arm. Stopping, he pulled it out. Hearing a evil dark chuckle, it did not sound displeased.
"There we go Pilot Ayanami. That concludes your medical check-up. I did not find anything out of order. If something does come up, you know where you can reach us," the NERV medical staffer stated.
"…" Rei replied nodding her head and getting off the hospital bed.
Exiting the room, she went to the admin desk. Being checked out, she exited the medical facility. Outside of the building, an alone escort vehicle was in the parking lot. The driver came out and opened the back rear door. Stepping inside, the driver closed it and got into the front seat. Starting the car, they went to the car escalator to go to the surface.
'…during the first examination…' she thought staring out of the window. 'I…wanted to do more.'
'So much that…I saw the nurse as an enemy,' she pondered and looked at her hands. '…the impulses and desires…seems to keep getting stronger...is that the right course?'
"…" the First Child said. Putting her hand back in her lap, she looked out the window with a determined look on her face.
In the apartment, Rana had arrived to see that no one was in it. Not deterred, she put her things away. Putting on regular clothes, she left to purchase items. Reaching the convenience store and getting her first set of items, she then headed to the supermarket.
'I know what will be a good to make up to him,' she thought with a confident smile on her face. 'I'll show him that I can match his quality. If I impress him enough…maybe he will see me differently.'
'The aspect that he came looking for me…found me…became angry…that look of irritation…jealousy,' she thought stopping and looking at a display window. Her face started to turn red as a goofy grin came to her face.
'Calm down…calm down…he would come to your rescue regardless…but just seeing him do that…' Rana thought to herself. Unable to remove the grin on her face, she started walking with a small spring in her step. Though she had made a plan for this evening, another was being planned for tomorrow.
At the outskirts of Neo-Tokyo, two people were standing nearby a lake around forestry. They were surrounded by holographic images of numbered monoliths. Giving both of their reports, the lead of the black rectangular pillar group stated about commencing their plan. To their surprise, the Sixth Child provided a convincing and assuring argument about delaying the plan.
[…I see…do you feel able to win over the Third Child and keep him at bay?]
"Yes," Kaworu stated with a friendly smile. "Given what happened today, I should be able to take control in the next couple of days."
[We do not have a couple of days to wait. Every minute and second wasted prolongs the dawn of Instrumentality.]
"If it is now or later, it does not make a difference in the end result. Have patience so that I may ensure that the execution of Instrumentality has the greatest chance of success."
"…" Rayne commented keeping quiet. She heard the monoliths murmur for a bit. Once they were done, they quieted down when the lead spoke.
[Very well. We will give you a couple of days. Prototype, you will aid him when the plan becomes active.]
"Sure," she replied standing with her arms across her chest.
[This meeting is dismissed] the lead stated before cutting the link. Finished, Kaworu turned around. Both stared at each other in which the Fifth Child kept a neutral expression.
"You know his twin sister will not forgive you if you go through with your plan tomorrow, right?"
"She is a little more flexible than Ikari is…however…I will still go through with it."
"I see," Rayne mentioned turning away half way. "I was going to give you a tip if you are serious on what you plan to do tomorrow."
"My my, how gracious of you. Is it another cross to my face?"
"No…if you were human…I would have said you would be killed. Since you are not, I guess you don't have to worry too much about getting injured or killed."
"The Third Child is just a lilim. Even if he tried to hurt me, it would only work if I make myself defenseless. I appreciate your concern."
"I see. Well good luck," Rayne responded walking away. Feeling the Sixth Child disappear and go back to the city, she started to ponder.
'Maybe I should call him to let him know?' she thought going downhill. Deciding, she pulled out her phone and suddenly received a text message. Another one came and another one came until it kept going. Her phone continued binging of new text messages.
'…great…my cell phone got hacked,' the Fifth Child thought. Opening it up, she went toward the texting app. Clicking on the icon, the list was from one person. Her eyes widen and selected the first one. Blinking, she opened the second one, then the third, then the forth.
'…' she thought feeling creeped out. All the messages were random made her uncomfortable.
'IsEeYoU' 'IkNoW' 'iTwIlLbEfUn' 'YoUsHoUlDjOiNuS' 'THEFESTIVITIESWILLBE…GLORIOUS' 'the violation' 'acting without consent' 'WITHOUT APPROVAL' 'WITHOUTCONSTRAINT' 'WATCHINGALLOFTHEMCRAWL' 'WATCHINGALLOFTHEMBEG' 'WATCHING-WATCHING-WATCHING-WATCHING…c…a…n…y…o…u…u…n…d…e…r…s…t…a…n…d…?' 'ArEyOuCuRiOuS?' 'ArEyOu?' 'ARE YOU?' 'AREYOU!?' 'ARE#$%#$%#' 'SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH'
"…" Kaworu said after appearing in his apartment. Going toward his bed and lying down, he stared at the ceiling. Thinking about what he was planning on doing tomorrow, he gave a grin.
"…" the pawn shop owner spoke. Moving a little bit, he felt achy all over. Opening up his eyes slowly, everything seemed bright and hazy. Noticing something at his right, he saw two dark silhouettes near him. They appeared to be sitting at his bedside.
"Are you feeling well sir?"
"…!?" the old man said in surprise. About to get up, he felt a hand immediately place on his chest.
"I advise you get up slowly sir," the same familiar voice stated.
"…alright…my boy," he stated and slowly sat up. Moving his hands to his eyes, he rubbed them. Feeling how small his hands seemed to feel, it made him chuckle weakly.
"Am I finally…dead my boy?"
'WhAtMaKeSyOuThInKsO?' a vicious sounding voice spoke nearby.
"…heh heh…" the old man commented slowly shaking his head. "Still lost in the mind's TV I see."
"Can you see me sir?"
"…my vision…is impaired without glasses…" he stated softly turning toward the dark silhouette nearest to him. "Did they become…beyond repair?"
"No sir," the familiar sounding voice stated. It leaned forward and seemed to block out all light the closer it got. Feeling something get placed over his eyes, his vision improved. Blinking a couple of times, the old man recognized the dark silhouette that moved closer to him.
"Are those adequate sir?" Shinji asked with a stoic expression.
"They are, they are," he replied with a smile. "Thank you my boy…my my, this place has become a bit rough since the mind folded within itself. Don't you think so?"
"It could use a refresh sir. Are you hungry or thirsty sir?"
"As much as my body yearns for substance, the mind changed everything…that smell…is it?" the old man said suddenly becoming wild eyes. "I can smell…see…touch…hear…can I taste?"
"I have made some rice porridge for you sir…if you care to eat," Shinji stated. Standing up and moving toward a nearby table, the old man noticed someone else sitting next to the Third Child. Looking closer, he saw a mirror image of the boy. However, there was bleeding black-red eyes and an impossible wide grin staring back at him.
"Hello their my boy," he said with his usual smile. "I believe I have felt and seen alterations of you…yet, never a double. To what honor do I have to see you?"
'ArEyOuCuRiOuS#$%#$?' Sid stated then snapped his neck viciously.
"Seeing a new face, it does pique the interest. Yes?"
'HeHeHeeeeeee' it said. Sucking up the blood through its eyes, the wide grin changed to an cruel smile.
"That is Mr. Sid…here is your meal sir."
"Thank you my boy…my my…it does look appetizing…though…the appearance can be the deception. Yes?"
"That it can sir," Shinji agreed and watched the old man pick up the spoon. Digging into the porridge, he brought it to his mouth. Swallowing it, the old man's reaction was mild.
"This is quite delicious my boy…I do not remember tasting what I see before the mind folding."
"Thank you sir," the male pilot said with a small bow.
Glancing over at the dark clone, his face was touching his. Without blinking or saying anything, both stared into each other's eyes. Hearing it chuckle, it merged into the Third Child. Despite his senses going into a distorted, glitching chaos, the voice of the old man brought him back.
"Thank you my boy…I feel the body…ravaging for more…but I am too weak at the moment," he stated and handed the bowl back. Seeing the male pilot take the bowl and tray, he noticed that the other was not around. Lying back down on his bed, his focus was slowly getting sharper.
"Tell me my boy…has the time come for…an additional aid?"
"Yes sir," Shinji said sitting back in his seat. "If I can implore you on a few items, I shall repay you after tomorrow."
"If you don't mind aiding these old bones back to health...that shall be an adequate repayment."
"Very well sir."
"Now then," the pawn shop own said with grin. "Tell me what you seek."