Chapter 04: The silence before the storm


Wilhelmshaven, Germany:

"And you are sure that you can´t travel with us, uncle?"
The redhaired girl looked into the face of the man next to her on the pier.
Her name was Asuka Soryu Langley. She wore a kneelong lowcut yellow dress with long sleeves,
red shoes, white socks and red gloves, around the neck she carried a chain with a
little silvercross. She was fourteen years old.

The man next to her wasn´t really her uncle, at least not in the blood, on the other hand
he and his wife did care for the girl since her mother´s death. He had black hair and wore
a dark uniform under his coat with black gloves.
"I would like to, Asuka, but they need me here. But Major Kaji is coming with you."

"Yes, but I wish you could both come to Japan, uncle Wolf."

He smiled sadly.
"As soon as I have some time I will come, promised."

"You will never have enough time, I know it. The agency sends you from one end of europe
to the other and then straight through africa."

"Hm, yes... But you know that I´m proud of you."

"Thanks..."

Another man joined them, Ryoji Kaji.

Asuka smiled at him with bright eyes.
"Hello, Kaji!"

"Hello, Asuka. - Commander."

"Major."
The man in the dark clothes greeted him with a nod.

"Everything is on board, we will leave as planned."

"Well, what means the time has come to say goodbay."
He hold out his hand towards Kaji.
"Have an eye on Asuka, Major."

"I will, Sir."

"And on your own cargo."

"Of course."

"Good... good journey."

"Thanks."

"Asuka?"

"Yes, uncle?"

"Be brave. And you think you can´t take anymore then call me, yes?"

"I will."

"And do not forget your training, whatever happens, you can circumvent every stone in
your path. And hit those angels were it hurts."

"I will, uncle."
She tried hart to stay calm, but the lonely tear running down her cheek betrayed her true
feelings.

He hugged her, smiled.
"Good luck."

"Please, give aunt Ann a kiss, yes? And tell her I´m sorry for not visiting her in hospital."

"I will do it, darling."
He watched them walking up the gangway of the ´Over the Rainboy´, waved as they stood at
the rail while the shiop left the harbor and finally turned when they were out of sight,
allowing himself some tears.
He was Wolf Larsen, Commander of Special Operations within the UN secret service ODIN, and
he had just send the girl that was like a daughter to him into mortal danger...


***


Misato´s Apartment, Tokio-03, Japan:

On the other side of the world Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami were sitting on the couch in
front of the TV. Rei was reading a book while Shinji read the program magazine.

"Eh, Rei..."

"Hm?"

"Today is the premiere of Gainax´ new animation series, Princess Maker."

"What´s that?"

"Don´t know... hm, after the concept of the successful computer simulation game...
but it is by Gainax, everything they do is good. Would you like to watch the first
episode with me?"

"I don´t know."

"Why?"

"I don´t watch TV."

"Well, you don´t have a TV-set in your apartment, do you?"
He didn´t remember seeing a TV-set in her apartment during his visit in her apartment,
on the other hand it was quite possibly that he was wrong.

"No."

"Well..."

"Good, if you want."

"Rei, if you don´t want to, I wouldn´t wish to force you."

Again she looked at him, closed the book.
"I think I could give it a try."

"Ah... do you sit comfortalbe? Wait..."
He got her a large pillow.
"For your back... and..."
He brought her the armchair.
"... now you can put the feet up."

She looked at him blinking.
"You truely want me to feel comfortable..."

"Of course."

She moved a bit forward to make space for the soft pillow, stretching the legs.
"Yes, very comfortable."

"If you want a blanket..."

"Shinji..."
She looked at him softly.
"... if I want one, I want get it."

"Uhm, yes."
He turned the TV-set on, put the remote on the low table and made himself comfortable on
the couch.

Rei moved to his side, leaning against him.

"Rei, why..."

"Is this... undisirable?"

"... no..." he whispered lowly.


***


Somewhere in the Western Kingdoms, the 13. century after Aries...

The village laid in ruins as if a fierce storm had paid it a visit, a broken houses were
empty, nothing moved, neither man nor beast.

Across the road, a formerly beautiful plastered street with trees on both sides, two longly
figures were moving, one big, one small, the last one leading two horses at the reins.

The larger one, a man, wore a wide black cape. His face was hidden in the shadows of his
hood, just a silverwhite lock of hair looked out. Under the cape he wore bright traveller
clothes consisting of leather trousers and linenshirt as well as dusty boots. His hand
was on the grip of his ornamented sword, his eyes wandered restless, looking for hidden
enemies.

The other one carried no visible weapons. Up from the waist he was human, but his legs
were goatlike, he was a male satyr with big eyes and ears and small horns on his forehead,
wearing a blue jacket and short trousers of the same colour.

The human gave a short sign to stop, then cowered down, touching the ground with his
fingertips, redrawing a weak footprint of a large foot with clawnails.
"Ogre", was the only word he said, his voice low and craspy.

"Master, do you truely want to travel further into this direction? This is the third
village we have entered without meeting any living soul. And all these destructions..."
The voice of the satyr sounded young and nervous.

"Are you afraid, Cube?"

"Yes, Master Winter."

"That´s okay. Fear keeps us alive. I want to know who is responsible for all of this.
Judging the tracks an army has passed through the country, all the way from the distant
mountains..."

"If you are right, wouldn´t it be wiser to change directions?"

"You can leave whenever you want, my destiny is the capital - and if I am correkt it is
also destiny of our friends."

"Yes... I will stay by your side."

"As you wish, Cube. By tomorrow evening we should reach the capital."

"Or what´s left..."


The kingdom´s capital was under siege. The attacker´s ring was closed, allowing noone to
escape from the doomed city. On the other side of the citywalls several fires were
burning out of controll, the battlement were full of fallen defenders.

The attackers were not human but creature from the deepest pits of the abyss, demons and
their servants, halfmen and undead.

The two travellers stood on a hilltop, looking down on the beleagered town and the encampment
before it´s walls.

"Master, can we leave now?"

"No..."
The man had pulled back his hood, he had fair skin and a face with sharp lines, his age
seemed to be somewhere between thirty and forty, his eyes had the colour of fresh grey
ice.
"It is like my dream..."

"Because of a dream you want to walk right into danger?"

"I was called, Cube, I know, you don´t understand, but at this place my destiny will be
fulfilled."

"Master, I beg you... You might be a great swordfighter and a master of the mystical arts,
but what will you do against a whole army?"

He smiled.
"Even the greatest army is nothing without it´s leader."


Night fell.

During the day the attackers had stormed the outer gates, killing the defenders they met.
Only the inner walls were still protecting the inhabitants of the town.

With the dusk the leader of the army had appeared, a redskined horned giant in black
armor and large belt made from skulls.
He was Luziferon, Lord of the Abyss...
With thundering voice he challenged the defenders, for each one who met him in duel he
would let go ten citydwellers. And should he meet defeat he would order his army to leave.

And at this moment a loud *boom* went through the night as tents and siegemachines went
up in flammes.
Through the flames a lonely human figure walked with burning eyes.

"I hope you accept my challenge", the warrior whispered

The demon laughed.
"Come, little mortal so I can crush you."

The man smiled, waited for the demon to draw his flamming blade.

"What are you waiting for, human? Draw your sword or run away!"

The smile on his lips died, was replaced by cold determination. He reached out with his
arm, throwing three crystal of ice into the air. The crystals whirled around, too fast
for the humnan eye, weaving a blade made of ice. As he grabbed the blade out of the air
the ice also encircled his arms, his chest, his legs without hindering him.

The demonlord frowed.
"The Armaments of Ice... a long time has passed since I watched this magic the last time",
he wispered. Even his wispering voice was still loud. "Maybe you are a worthy opponent,
after all..."

The fight started. Fire met Ice, Steel met Steel.

The opponents gave all, again and again the blades met. Then the man fumbled, the fiery
blade crossed his belly, he stumbled back, pressing the free arm against the wound,
breathing heavyly.

The demon bowed grinning.
"For a long time I have met no opponent who was that hard to kill. It was a pleasure,
mortal one."

"Yes, it was."
And with these words he let go of his swords, drawing arkane symbols into the thin air,
wispering ancient words of bannishment.

"What?"
The demon discovered himself inside a circle of banishment, drawn by his oppenent during
the fight, a circle he himself had thrown the other one out. And he felt the power of the
circle, drawn partly with the sorcerer´s blood.
"No! You are..."

The other one smiled a crocked smile.
"Go to hell!"

Luziferon vanished behind a wall of fire, his scream of disappointment was the last thing
left of him as he returned into his realm taking his army with him.

The warrior fell down, to weak from his wound to keep standing. At the same time the
enchantment endet and the Armaments of Ice were gone...

[next: recovered from his wounds and given a place within the royal palace the traveller
follows a nightly call towards destiny...]

[end credits]


***


During the show Shinji had looked again and again at Rei who seemed to be fascinated.
With the end credits she finally broke contact with the screen, lifted the head from
his shoulter, looked into his face and nodded.
"You were right."

"Yes?"

"I liked it. Could we... repeat this experience?"

"Sure."

"Fascinating... he didn´t need to fight, he could have walk away... like you did when the
angel Sachiel attacked... why did you stay and piloted unit one?"

"I... because of father..."

"Yes?"

"He called me a coward... but he had had no right to do so, not after leaving me alone..."

"You wanted to prove yourself."

"Yes."

"Was this the only reason?"

"... no."

"Then, why did you do it?"

"They... they would have made you pilot EVA-01..."

"I remember seeing you... you wanted to help me..."

"You were hurt... badly..."

"So you also did it for me?!"

"I... hm... uhm..."
He swallowed.
"Yes."

"For someone you had never met before."

"..."

"You are no coward, Shinji. Your heart is stronger than you want to admit to yourself."

"Rei..."
He let her take his hand, let redraw the feint scars softly with her fingertips.

"Only two people were ever ready to feel pain for me, your father... and you... That´s the
reason I am loyal towards him... and because of this I will be by your side whenever you
should need me."

"I..."

"It´s late. I will go to bed. You should also catch some sleep. Good night."

"Yes... good night, Rei."


***


"Friendship... having friends... He likes me... he likes my smile... he is not like the
Commander, he´s softer... I like him... time... time didn´t matter before, one day was
like the others... but now this has changed..."


***


The next day they got the news of EVA-02 and the Second Children arriving soon from
Germany. And Shinji completly failt during the target practices with the help of the
target-visor.

"No Coordination of hand and eye", Misato groaned.

"It´s all a matter of practice", sighed Ritsuko. "But look at this - your plan seems to
bear success."

"Are these the data of Rei´s synchronisation?"

"Yes, a five point raise - and that without her having any training since the battle with
Ramiel. EVA-00 seems to give less opposion."

"Opposition?"

"Well, you know, the test during which Rei was hurt. EVA-00 had fought against her - and
against Shinji during the cross-tests."

"Of course I remember..."

"The controlling program of unit zero is by far inferior to unit one´s, but Rei seems to
be completly in control now."

"That´s good to hear."

"Of course is it good - it increases the pilots´ chances of survival. Shall Rei still
stay with you?"

"Yes, she is an uncomplicated guess."

"Ah, another one to shift your chores onto..."

"Ritsuko..."

"I will write into my report a suggestion that she should stay at your place. Commander
Ikari won´t like it... he looses each day some influence with her..."

"And?"

"Okay, so we think the same." Ritsuko laughted. "Like in the old time..."

"Yes."

"Have you already thought about the Second Children?"

"About Asuka? No."

"Ah, yes, you know her from your time at the german branch."

"That´s been more than a year now. She is quite independant... but also undiscipled and
stubborn."

"Well that would work with our other two pilots, as some kind of opposing weight. But I
meant if you will have her move in with you, too."

"Misato and her pilots?" she laughted. "That would produce some problemes of space...
on the other hand if Shinji moves in the smaller of the two rooms and the girls in the
bigger one..."

"Do you really think Rei and Asuka could life together in one room?"

"Hm, this depends on Rei´s further devellopment. At the moment..."

"I´ve also seen Asuka´s psychic profile."

"Yes... Probably they will jump at each other throats..."


***


Again Shinji was doing his homework, when Misato and Rei returned from shopping. Both
carried each two large bags.

"We are back!" Misato announced and gave Rei a wink. "Come and show yourself."

The boy looked at Rei and searched for words.

Instead of her schooluniform she wore jeans and a pullover and shoes with small heels.

Behind her Misato appeared.
"Eh, Shinji, what do you say? Does this suits her?"

"Yes... uhm, Rei, you look... great..."
Prompty he turned red.

"Eh, as I told you." Misato grinned.

"Yes", Rei breathed.

"Uhm, Rei, how did the tests go?"

"Satisfiing."

"Good."

"Shinji, I´ve heard that you had had problems this morning..."

He lowered his eyes.
"Yes, Doctor Akagi says I need more training."

"I´d knew of a way, if Misato allows it."

"What is it?"

"Hm... a surprise."

He breathed hard.

"Misato, could we talk in my room?"

"Of course, Rei."

Both of them left the room.

Shinji tried hard to listen to their voices but couldn´t hear anything except some whisper
and Misato´s excited shout: "Really?".

A short time later Rei reappeared, wearing her normal shoes and her dark jackett.
"Come."

He got up and followed her.


***


"A billiards hall?" the young Ikari asked surprised when he saw Rei´s destination.

"Yes." she answered simply before entering the hall.

"Uhm, are we allowed to enter?"

"Do you carry your NERV-ID?"

"Yes."

"Then it will be no problem. Just follow me."

Within the large room it smelt for stale cigaresmoke and beer, only a man with broad
shoulders and a bald head stood behind the counter.
"Ah, Ayanami, long time not seen."

She nodded.
"Yes, Kuro-sama."

"Does your friend belong to NERV, too?"

"Yes."

"Uhm, Shinji Ikari."
Shinji thought it correct to introduce himself.

"Hrmpf. Gendo´s son?"

"You know my father?"

"Boy, your old man has spend a lot of time here since I set up shop some twenty years ago.
Just a hint: Don´t play with Ayanami for money."

"Uh... yes."

"Well, okay, have fun. You can use the usual table."

"Good." Rei answered and pulled Shinji with her to the last table in the back of the
room.

"Ah, Rei, what´s the meaning of this all? How did you come know of this place?"

"Commander Ikari showed me."

"Father..."

"I had similiar problems."

"You?"

"Yes. Do you think I didn´t need any practice?"

"Of course not... but, ah, you always seem to have everything under controll."

"That´s part of the job. Carelessness can be deadly."

"Yes..." he mumbled with bitterness within his voice.

"Do you still want me to help you?"

He swallowed.
"Yes."

"Good. Look..."
She got one of the cues from the board and removed the stoppings from the balls. With
expressionless face she took aim and pushed against the white ball, scattering the other
balls over the table. One of them, a duelcoloured, went into the upper left corner. She
scanned the situation, took aim again, called a number and a corner and brought the called
ball into the called corner, doing this over and over again, watched by Shinji with eyes
wide open, until the table was empty.
She gave him the cues and placed the balls back on the table.
"Your turn."

"Uh..."
He took the same position he had seen her taking, aiming at the white ball and over her
at the others.

"No" Rei whispered into his ear.

He twitched, pushing the white ball aside.

She put the ball back into it´s place and corrected his position. He felt her breath by
his ear, his heart was beating faster, his fingers cramped around the cue.

"Keep calm..."

"Rei..."
He looked over his shoulder, saw a roguish smile in her eyes, forced himself to keep cool.
"You have chanced over the last days..."

"That´s partly your doing. Now concentrate on the balls."

"Yes."


***


Aideo Kuro had been surprised to see Rei Ayanami entering his hall, he had known her for
quite some time since before the angels started to attack. One day, around the year 2007
Gendo Rokubungi had appeared in his hall - at this time he had already taken on the name
Ikari - in the company of a little girl that nearly managed to look over the edge of the
tables. It had been quite a while since Ikari had been there the last time, before his
marriage he had financed his life with money won by gambling. Kuro couldn´t say that he
liked Gendo very much, for his taste he was too much of a troublemaker. At the beginning
he thought the girl to be his daughter after seeing the ring at Ikari´s finger, but later
the other man had explained just to look after a friend´s daughter, something that had
made Kuro suspicious - Ikari and friends...

Later Ayanami entered his place without Ikari, when Kuro told her that she was not old
enough to be there Ikari appeared the next day, showed him his NERV-ID and told him those
rules weren´t made for Rei.
And so it started...

She had always been a silent girl, a bit strange, a child without parents.
But she was more than able to defend herself. Until this very day she never again came
in company and Ikari didn´t return also.

But now Kuro saw her together with a boy of her age, entering his hall about one hour
before his usual patrons would arrive. The boy looked like his father years ago...
She called him Kuro-sama as she had done for the last eight years since he place a crate
for the first time at one of the table for her to step apon.

He watched them at the table and became more surprised with every minute.
Ayanami was... well, by far more open than usual, not like girls her age, but she had
always been a bit strange, more earnest and grown up. But in the presence of the boy...
he nearly was tried to say that she liked him.
And when she moved behind Ikari´s son to correct his position he wouldn´t have wondered
if the boy had suffered from nosebleed, he had never seen her this close to someone else.


***


"This was... funny... fun... I can´t remember to have ever had fun before... the Commander
always keeps telling me that emotions were irrelevant... would he be wrong? Can someone
like the Commander be wrong? Time... time didn´t matter to me before... but now every
moment is important... no, not every moment, but those I spend with him..."


***


This was just the beginning, over the next two weeks Rei continued her special training
with Shinji until the moment he was able to stay calm even with her trying to disturb
his concentration. At the same time he succeded during the targetting practices at the
testcenter.

The next valentine´s day Rei found a heartshaped box with choclate on her pillow and a
simple rose in a vase on the desk, under the vase was a note, containing only two words:
Thanks, Shinji.
Rei didn´t know why, but for the first time in her life she felt happiness...

And then Asuka stroke...