Whew, some effort to get this one done by tonight! Sorry guys, I am trying really hard to keep these coming out regularly, but it's hard to write two pages a day when you also have to do heaps of housework and running around and socialising etc etc etc... The identity of this Angel may be a surprise to some people, but I really believe it should be this way!
And by the way, 'TommyRude', if you don't like them, DON'T READ THEM! It's pretty simple. And sad that you have nothing better to do with your time that rip other people off who are only having some fun. Everybody else, thank you so much for your encouragement- even 'Worldmage'- hey, haven't heard from you in a while, don't you -want- to give me technical tips any more?
Gryffyn's mine. He's all.
The sky was rich with tones of red and peach, blue and burnished gold, feathery pink clouds suspended
over it. The still waters of the swamp replied in colours so vibrant and warm they almost hurt the eye.
It was that particular moment of the day when, though the sky can be seen in all it's glory, land and
trees are silhouetted, their blackness a complement to the wonderful resplendence behind them.
In such a fashion, the dead trees, their branches and roots hungrily reaching and clutching, were
transformed into graceful shadows. And perched birdlike on one, facing away, one leg tucked beneath
and one leg dangling carelessly, softly humming...
Shinji moaned. "How many times do I have to kill you?"
There was silence in his speakers. It was apparent that everyone in the control room had seen what he
had seen.
There could be no doubt, now, that Kaworu was an Angel. Huge slender wings were half-unfurled
behind him, bobbing slightly with his breath. They were unmistakably real, but there seemed a slight
ethereal quality about them, like they couldn't be seen if looked at the wrong way, like they might be
dissipated by a strong gust of wind.
Laboriously, Unit 01 lifted a foot and laid it down, lifted a foot and laid it down, until it was within a
length of the impossible Angel.
"Shinji..." Misato's nervous voice whispered in his ear, "You have to. He has to be killed, he's an
Angel."
Kaworu turned, his crimson eyes peering, luminous with love, out from under his unruly bangs. His
generous lips curled into a tender smile. "Oh, Shinji," he murmured, and though it was a quiet sound,
still Shinji heard it perfectly.
"I killed you!" he shouted, a vein standing out on his forehead. "You should be dead!"
"Yes," Kaworu said in his beautiful, lisping voice. "It was what you had to do. It was what needed to
be done, and I thank you for it."
Shinji was quietly weeping. "You should be dead. Your head fell in the water."
For a moment Kaworu was silent, his face unreadable. Then he smiled. "Come out of that thing, my
dear."
The brown-haired head snapped up. Shinji looked directly into the Angel's eyes-
"3rd child, stop right there!" Commander Ikari's voice rang out as Shinji reached for the emergency
eject handle. "Do not leave the Evangelion! Stay put, and prepare for battle!"
No effect. Shinji pulled the handle. The Eva slumped to it's knees, the entry plug protruding from it's
back. He manually opened the hatch, pulling himself to where he could sit on the edge. It was a long
fall, and from habit, he did not look at it.
He was vaguely aware of Unit 00 arriving in the corner of his vision. The blue-armoured monolith
came swiftly, then slowed, hunkering down near him. Kaworu was waiting patiently on his perch.
Rei's voice issued from her external speakers. "Shinji, are you sure this is what you want to do?"
A babble of argument started up beneath her voice, but to his amazement, she talked right over them,
over the voice of Ritsuko that was frantically ordering her to seize the 3rd Child, he'd gone insane,
destroy the Angel before it could do anymore damage. "Do you trust him?"
After a moment's pause, he nodded.
The Eva's white arm approached him with frightening speed- but he didn't flinch, though it could
effortlessly crush him, because he trusted Rei too. Then black fingers taller than his entire body were
extended under his feet.
He let go of the plug's rim, dropping- and a second later landed firmly on Unit 00's hand.
Air rushed past his head, whipping at his short hair, as Rei deposited him on the ground before the tree
in which Kaworu sat. He waved a thank-you at her as she turned, retreating several paces, to wait
nearby.
A red flash heralded Unit 02's arrival. He stared as it approached, obviously on the offensive- and Rei
stepped in front of it, opposing it. The two were silent for several minutes and he could imagine the
words passing between them, like a battle in themselves. Neither he nor Kaworu spoke while they
tensely awaited the result of this confrontation.
Then- both Evas relaxed. The two huge biomachines turned away, sitting somewhat clumsily on the
squashy ground.
Kaworu laughed, the sound musical and peaceful. He swung round on his branch, his wings snagging
briefly on the trunk. "Shinji Ikari, do you have any idea how long it took me to regrow this body?"
An incredulous smile spread over Shinji's face. "What are you talking about, you nut?"
"It was very inconsiderate of you to do that to me. I don't appreciate being temporarily corporeally
disadvantaged." The Angel slipped off his tree branch, a few swift beats of his wings making the drop a
light and smooth one. "But I will forgive you."
Shinji laughed in disbelieving wonder. "Kaworu Nagisa, I don't understand you."
Kaworu reached boldly forward, plucking the clasps out of Shinji's hair. He looked at the two devices
sitting in his hand. "Your friends back in Nerv don't need to share our conversation." He flung them
into the swamp water. "I've missed you, Shinji."
"You- you don't hate me?"
"I told you to do it, didn't I? It was either you or me, Shinji dearest, and I knew that I could regenerate
in time. That's one good side to being as I am."
"But why did you come back, Kaworu? You must have known that many people would want to see you
dead, to put you back in your grave."
Great wings folded with a rustle of silvery feathers. "I couldn't stand being away from you, Shinji. And
the other Angels did not want me with them. Indeed, they were most hostile toward me when I tried to
meet them." He snorted. "No better than animals, really, that bunch. A great deal of power but almost
no intelligence. I want to be an angel the way that you humans used to envision us."
"You were really with the other Angels, huh." It was difficult to believe, but then, he was here after all.
Wasn't that a difficult enough thing to believe?
Kaworu nodded. "I think I like to be the way we are, you and I and Ayanami. With the power of the
one and the mind of the other."
Once, Shinji might have protested that he could not be anything other than human- but now he nodded
solemnly. It must be so. "Do you know why they attack us? Where they come from?
"I don't know where their base is, but they have no real reason to attack. I think they just dislike
humans. Their way of life. What they've done to the planet."
Shinji nodded gravely. "So... what do we do now?"
Kaworu shrugged. "You can take me out to dinner."
Laughing, Shinji replied, "You might be just a little conspicuous."
The Angel flipped his wings lazily. "What on Earth makes you say that?" He gave a low chuckle.
"Most people will not see these, Shinji Ikari. Humans have a wonderful ability to not see what they do
not wish to see. Now, on the knowledge that I will do no damage to your species unless I am allowed to
touch Lillith, will your friends from Nerv allow me to live here in this city? I feel this is where I
belong."
"Uh... what's Lillith?"
A sideways glance of crimson eyes. "I am not to be brought into your, uh, Central Dogma. Should I
encounter Lillith again- it of the seven eyes- I will not be able to stop myself from touching it, and that
will cause Third Impact." He grinned. "Have I not learned your language well?"
Impulsively, Shinji hugged his friend- releasing him quickly, before the Angel could misinterpret the
gesture. "C'mon then!" he encouraged, taking a few steps toward the waiting Evas.
A soft bleating noise stopped him, and he turned back to see a pale furry lump detach itself from the
tree's base and make it's gangly way over to Kaworu, bleating insistently. The Angel, smiling fondly,
picked it up and followed Shinji.
Hmph. Like having a gryphon around wasn't odd enough, like the addition of an Angel to his cadre of
friends wasn't odd enough, but now they would have a baby unicorn with them as well...
"This is my friend, Cedar," Kaworu introduced. "I'm taking care of him for a while."
The baby unicorn was very cute. It seemed to be all made of legs and hooves and silken hair. It's legs
were far too big for it, looking almost spider-like; it's hooves half-cloven in their hairy skirts; it's hide
pearly white and seal-smooth; it's head big and large eyed, bearing the stub of a seashell horn. It
whickered at him, reaching over to lip at his arm. It twitched it's head back, not liking the taste of the
LCL on him.
"Most people will probably see him as a goat," the Angel mused, "or maybe a large dog. He doesn't
mind that too much, but he really doesn't like being called Fido!"
Young Cedar wriggled vigorously, slipping free of Cedar's grasp, and run over to rub against Shinji's
leg, his rag of a tail whisking round and round in happiness. Not so nervous around 'mythical' animals
as he could have been, Shinji reached down to rub the kidling's ears, making him squeal with delight.
Kaworu chuckled quietly. "Well, it's to be expected; you're only 15, right?"
"Nearly 16," Shinji replied absently. He knew what a unicorn was, basically, but didn't know very
much at all about them.
(Clue: what type of person does a unicorn really, really like?)
Nevertheless the three approached the Evas. Both monoliths turned to face them.
"Well?" Asuka's piercing voice issued from somewhere around the neck of her Evangelion. "What's
going on?"
Kaworu raised his voice. "I am seeking asylum with your people."
A flurry of voices, then Ritsuko's, calm and businesslike: "We are willing to discuss this. Will you
meet with us?"
The Angel nodded.
Ritsuko gave a set of co-ordinates to meet at. "We will be there in no more than fifteen minutes. We
trust you are not hostile at this point in time?"
Grinning, Kaworu shook his head. "I will not hurt you. Any of you."
Shinji and Kaworu were waiting at the designated place- a high, flat plateau- when the others arrived.
Not all of them had come, for safety reasons; Misato, Ritsuko, Fuyutski and Hyuga were the four that
did turn up, as well as several Security men, impersonal in their black suits and sunglasses. Units 00
and 02 were waiting one on either side of the plateau- but when the Nerv team arrived, Unit 00
slumped, the entry plug emerging.
Rei appeared at it's opening, determination written on her face- then realised how high up she still was.
She got over it smoothly, looking down to where the two boys stood, and calling, "May I ask for your
aid, fifth child?"
Kaworu laughed out loud. "You have changed, Ayanami! What's happened to you?" Still laughing, he
beat his wings strongly thrice and was airborne. In a flash he was level with Rei, holding his arms out.
She gravely let him take hold of her, putting an arm around his neck as he controlled his descent with
several powerful wingbeats.
Red flashed across Shinji's eyes for a second, seeing someone else hold Rei so comfortably and
closely. How dare he? But as soon as they landed, Kaworu respectfully released the girl and stepped
aside from her, and Shinji breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
"Ayanami..." Fuyutski muttered, "You were supposed to remain in your Evangelion. You have been in
defiance of authority almost as badly as young Ikari today."
Briefly, Rei dipped her head in apology.
"In light of the circumstances it is likely that this will be forgiven, but recurrences will not be treated
lightly." His heavy glance crossed both pilots, and both nodded in acceptance.
Meanwhile Ritsuko was approaching Kaworu with some wariness. "Greetings, Kaworu Nagisa."
He bowed politely, his wings sweeping beautifully behind him. "Greetings, Doctor Ritsuko Akagi. I
hope this meeting leads to benefit for both our parties."
"How can we trust you?" she demanded bluntly. "You betrayed us once already."
"Ah, but now I am a free agent!" His eyes sparkled. "And as I reassured Shinji-chan, I intend to do no
harm to any person here or on this planet. Well, it may be that there are some few who have personally
offended me, and those I may or may not harm as I please. But they are a very few, and certainly none
present here today. Only ensure that I am not allowed to touch your captive, and all will be well."
Ritsuko nodded gravely. "So what is your proposal?"
His feathers rilled and settled back. "Ah, we get to the meat of the matter, no? Well, my thoughts ran
thusly: I wish to live here, in this city, with these people that I love. I will need some small moneys
with which to live, my companion and I." His sweeping gaze encompassed the young unicorn, now
fondly nuzzling Rei's knee. "It may be that I have some small knowledges which may benefit your
organisation. I had envisioned a consultant's fee."
The Angel's conspiratory smile was soon shared, as the hugeness of possibilities began to dawn on
Ritsuko. "That may indeed be possible," she replied blandly.
I know: it was too short; I introduced two new characters including one dead one and another fantasy creature; I was probably incorrect on lets of technical details about the show- but you get the idea, right? Please let me know what you think of these new developments!
And by the way, 'TommyRude', if you don't like them, DON'T READ THEM! It's pretty simple. And sad that you have nothing better to do with your time that rip other people off who are only having some fun. Everybody else, thank you so much for your encouragement- even 'Worldmage'- hey, haven't heard from you in a while, don't you -want- to give me technical tips any more?
Gryffyn's mine. He's all.
The sky was rich with tones of red and peach, blue and burnished gold, feathery pink clouds suspended
over it. The still waters of the swamp replied in colours so vibrant and warm they almost hurt the eye.
It was that particular moment of the day when, though the sky can be seen in all it's glory, land and
trees are silhouetted, their blackness a complement to the wonderful resplendence behind them.
In such a fashion, the dead trees, their branches and roots hungrily reaching and clutching, were
transformed into graceful shadows. And perched birdlike on one, facing away, one leg tucked beneath
and one leg dangling carelessly, softly humming...
Shinji moaned. "How many times do I have to kill you?"
There was silence in his speakers. It was apparent that everyone in the control room had seen what he
had seen.
There could be no doubt, now, that Kaworu was an Angel. Huge slender wings were half-unfurled
behind him, bobbing slightly with his breath. They were unmistakably real, but there seemed a slight
ethereal quality about them, like they couldn't be seen if looked at the wrong way, like they might be
dissipated by a strong gust of wind.
Laboriously, Unit 01 lifted a foot and laid it down, lifted a foot and laid it down, until it was within a
length of the impossible Angel.
"Shinji..." Misato's nervous voice whispered in his ear, "You have to. He has to be killed, he's an
Angel."
Kaworu turned, his crimson eyes peering, luminous with love, out from under his unruly bangs. His
generous lips curled into a tender smile. "Oh, Shinji," he murmured, and though it was a quiet sound,
still Shinji heard it perfectly.
"I killed you!" he shouted, a vein standing out on his forehead. "You should be dead!"
"Yes," Kaworu said in his beautiful, lisping voice. "It was what you had to do. It was what needed to
be done, and I thank you for it."
Shinji was quietly weeping. "You should be dead. Your head fell in the water."
For a moment Kaworu was silent, his face unreadable. Then he smiled. "Come out of that thing, my
dear."
The brown-haired head snapped up. Shinji looked directly into the Angel's eyes-
"3rd child, stop right there!" Commander Ikari's voice rang out as Shinji reached for the emergency
eject handle. "Do not leave the Evangelion! Stay put, and prepare for battle!"
No effect. Shinji pulled the handle. The Eva slumped to it's knees, the entry plug protruding from it's
back. He manually opened the hatch, pulling himself to where he could sit on the edge. It was a long
fall, and from habit, he did not look at it.
He was vaguely aware of Unit 00 arriving in the corner of his vision. The blue-armoured monolith
came swiftly, then slowed, hunkering down near him. Kaworu was waiting patiently on his perch.
Rei's voice issued from her external speakers. "Shinji, are you sure this is what you want to do?"
A babble of argument started up beneath her voice, but to his amazement, she talked right over them,
over the voice of Ritsuko that was frantically ordering her to seize the 3rd Child, he'd gone insane,
destroy the Angel before it could do anymore damage. "Do you trust him?"
After a moment's pause, he nodded.
The Eva's white arm approached him with frightening speed- but he didn't flinch, though it could
effortlessly crush him, because he trusted Rei too. Then black fingers taller than his entire body were
extended under his feet.
He let go of the plug's rim, dropping- and a second later landed firmly on Unit 00's hand.
Air rushed past his head, whipping at his short hair, as Rei deposited him on the ground before the tree
in which Kaworu sat. He waved a thank-you at her as she turned, retreating several paces, to wait
nearby.
A red flash heralded Unit 02's arrival. He stared as it approached, obviously on the offensive- and Rei
stepped in front of it, opposing it. The two were silent for several minutes and he could imagine the
words passing between them, like a battle in themselves. Neither he nor Kaworu spoke while they
tensely awaited the result of this confrontation.
Then- both Evas relaxed. The two huge biomachines turned away, sitting somewhat clumsily on the
squashy ground.
Kaworu laughed, the sound musical and peaceful. He swung round on his branch, his wings snagging
briefly on the trunk. "Shinji Ikari, do you have any idea how long it took me to regrow this body?"
An incredulous smile spread over Shinji's face. "What are you talking about, you nut?"
"It was very inconsiderate of you to do that to me. I don't appreciate being temporarily corporeally
disadvantaged." The Angel slipped off his tree branch, a few swift beats of his wings making the drop a
light and smooth one. "But I will forgive you."
Shinji laughed in disbelieving wonder. "Kaworu Nagisa, I don't understand you."
Kaworu reached boldly forward, plucking the clasps out of Shinji's hair. He looked at the two devices
sitting in his hand. "Your friends back in Nerv don't need to share our conversation." He flung them
into the swamp water. "I've missed you, Shinji."
"You- you don't hate me?"
"I told you to do it, didn't I? It was either you or me, Shinji dearest, and I knew that I could regenerate
in time. That's one good side to being as I am."
"But why did you come back, Kaworu? You must have known that many people would want to see you
dead, to put you back in your grave."
Great wings folded with a rustle of silvery feathers. "I couldn't stand being away from you, Shinji. And
the other Angels did not want me with them. Indeed, they were most hostile toward me when I tried to
meet them." He snorted. "No better than animals, really, that bunch. A great deal of power but almost
no intelligence. I want to be an angel the way that you humans used to envision us."
"You were really with the other Angels, huh." It was difficult to believe, but then, he was here after all.
Wasn't that a difficult enough thing to believe?
Kaworu nodded. "I think I like to be the way we are, you and I and Ayanami. With the power of the
one and the mind of the other."
Once, Shinji might have protested that he could not be anything other than human- but now he nodded
solemnly. It must be so. "Do you know why they attack us? Where they come from?
"I don't know where their base is, but they have no real reason to attack. I think they just dislike
humans. Their way of life. What they've done to the planet."
Shinji nodded gravely. "So... what do we do now?"
Kaworu shrugged. "You can take me out to dinner."
Laughing, Shinji replied, "You might be just a little conspicuous."
The Angel flipped his wings lazily. "What on Earth makes you say that?" He gave a low chuckle.
"Most people will not see these, Shinji Ikari. Humans have a wonderful ability to not see what they do
not wish to see. Now, on the knowledge that I will do no damage to your species unless I am allowed to
touch Lillith, will your friends from Nerv allow me to live here in this city? I feel this is where I
belong."
"Uh... what's Lillith?"
A sideways glance of crimson eyes. "I am not to be brought into your, uh, Central Dogma. Should I
encounter Lillith again- it of the seven eyes- I will not be able to stop myself from touching it, and that
will cause Third Impact." He grinned. "Have I not learned your language well?"
Impulsively, Shinji hugged his friend- releasing him quickly, before the Angel could misinterpret the
gesture. "C'mon then!" he encouraged, taking a few steps toward the waiting Evas.
A soft bleating noise stopped him, and he turned back to see a pale furry lump detach itself from the
tree's base and make it's gangly way over to Kaworu, bleating insistently. The Angel, smiling fondly,
picked it up and followed Shinji.
Hmph. Like having a gryphon around wasn't odd enough, like the addition of an Angel to his cadre of
friends wasn't odd enough, but now they would have a baby unicorn with them as well...
"This is my friend, Cedar," Kaworu introduced. "I'm taking care of him for a while."
The baby unicorn was very cute. It seemed to be all made of legs and hooves and silken hair. It's legs
were far too big for it, looking almost spider-like; it's hooves half-cloven in their hairy skirts; it's hide
pearly white and seal-smooth; it's head big and large eyed, bearing the stub of a seashell horn. It
whickered at him, reaching over to lip at his arm. It twitched it's head back, not liking the taste of the
LCL on him.
"Most people will probably see him as a goat," the Angel mused, "or maybe a large dog. He doesn't
mind that too much, but he really doesn't like being called Fido!"
Young Cedar wriggled vigorously, slipping free of Cedar's grasp, and run over to rub against Shinji's
leg, his rag of a tail whisking round and round in happiness. Not so nervous around 'mythical' animals
as he could have been, Shinji reached down to rub the kidling's ears, making him squeal with delight.
Kaworu chuckled quietly. "Well, it's to be expected; you're only 15, right?"
"Nearly 16," Shinji replied absently. He knew what a unicorn was, basically, but didn't know very
much at all about them.
(Clue: what type of person does a unicorn really, really like?)
Nevertheless the three approached the Evas. Both monoliths turned to face them.
"Well?" Asuka's piercing voice issued from somewhere around the neck of her Evangelion. "What's
going on?"
Kaworu raised his voice. "I am seeking asylum with your people."
A flurry of voices, then Ritsuko's, calm and businesslike: "We are willing to discuss this. Will you
meet with us?"
The Angel nodded.
Ritsuko gave a set of co-ordinates to meet at. "We will be there in no more than fifteen minutes. We
trust you are not hostile at this point in time?"
Grinning, Kaworu shook his head. "I will not hurt you. Any of you."
Shinji and Kaworu were waiting at the designated place- a high, flat plateau- when the others arrived.
Not all of them had come, for safety reasons; Misato, Ritsuko, Fuyutski and Hyuga were the four that
did turn up, as well as several Security men, impersonal in their black suits and sunglasses. Units 00
and 02 were waiting one on either side of the plateau- but when the Nerv team arrived, Unit 00
slumped, the entry plug emerging.
Rei appeared at it's opening, determination written on her face- then realised how high up she still was.
She got over it smoothly, looking down to where the two boys stood, and calling, "May I ask for your
aid, fifth child?"
Kaworu laughed out loud. "You have changed, Ayanami! What's happened to you?" Still laughing, he
beat his wings strongly thrice and was airborne. In a flash he was level with Rei, holding his arms out.
She gravely let him take hold of her, putting an arm around his neck as he controlled his descent with
several powerful wingbeats.
Red flashed across Shinji's eyes for a second, seeing someone else hold Rei so comfortably and
closely. How dare he? But as soon as they landed, Kaworu respectfully released the girl and stepped
aside from her, and Shinji breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
"Ayanami..." Fuyutski muttered, "You were supposed to remain in your Evangelion. You have been in
defiance of authority almost as badly as young Ikari today."
Briefly, Rei dipped her head in apology.
"In light of the circumstances it is likely that this will be forgiven, but recurrences will not be treated
lightly." His heavy glance crossed both pilots, and both nodded in acceptance.
Meanwhile Ritsuko was approaching Kaworu with some wariness. "Greetings, Kaworu Nagisa."
He bowed politely, his wings sweeping beautifully behind him. "Greetings, Doctor Ritsuko Akagi. I
hope this meeting leads to benefit for both our parties."
"How can we trust you?" she demanded bluntly. "You betrayed us once already."
"Ah, but now I am a free agent!" His eyes sparkled. "And as I reassured Shinji-chan, I intend to do no
harm to any person here or on this planet. Well, it may be that there are some few who have personally
offended me, and those I may or may not harm as I please. But they are a very few, and certainly none
present here today. Only ensure that I am not allowed to touch your captive, and all will be well."
Ritsuko nodded gravely. "So what is your proposal?"
His feathers rilled and settled back. "Ah, we get to the meat of the matter, no? Well, my thoughts ran
thusly: I wish to live here, in this city, with these people that I love. I will need some small moneys
with which to live, my companion and I." His sweeping gaze encompassed the young unicorn, now
fondly nuzzling Rei's knee. "It may be that I have some small knowledges which may benefit your
organisation. I had envisioned a consultant's fee."
The Angel's conspiratory smile was soon shared, as the hugeness of possibilities began to dawn on
Ritsuko. "That may indeed be possible," she replied blandly.
I know: it was too short; I introduced two new characters including one dead one and another fantasy creature; I was probably incorrect on lets of technical details about the show- but you get the idea, right? Please let me know what you think of these new developments!