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Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)
"Ethics"
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Copyright Info and Disclaimer.
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is Copyright (c) 2003 by Gainax. All OTHER material is Copyright (c) 2003 their owners. All materials used for PARODY purposes.
"Altered Lives (The Parody)" and "Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)" are Copyright (c) 2003 by DBM. This work is an Amateur, Non-Commercial work by an Anime/Manga Fan. This work was created in the Spirit of the Copyright Exemptions regarding Parodies and Satire.
If you like my work, you may keep a copy for your own personal records, but you may NOT post it on any websites/newsgroups, NOR may you include it in any printed publication for sale/public distribution. If printing out a copy for yourself or a friend, you may reformat it (paragraph spacing, page-breaks, font and font size, borders, bold/italic, etc) to fit the paper you use, but please do not change any of the actual words or wording in the document.
Sole web-posting at FanFiction.Net - Author's E-Mail address on File.
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Censorship Info and Disclaimer.
NOT Recommended for Children.
Intended for MATURE Audiences.
There are NO 'sex scenes', but, just like the original NGE series, the story will explore the results and side effects of such activities. Along the way, there'll be swearing, violence, drugs, Adult situations, and frank discussions of sex education/family planning information, as well as thoughts and opinions on the morals and ethics of sexual assault, dating, courtship, marriage, alternate sexualities, pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, Family Values, etc.
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Fandom Alerts and Disclaimer.
AU Alert (Alternate Universe).
OOC Alert (Out Of Character).
ACC Alert (Author Created Character).
SI Alert (Self Insert - Author appears in the story as a character).
SPOILER Alert (May 'spoil' surprises in the Manga and Anime TV/Movies).
' ' denotes thoughts.
" " denotes speech.
* * denotes emphasis, or electronic communication.
denotes other method of communication.
--- denotes letters deleted for censorship reasons.
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Author's Ramblings - Another set of scenes from after the Final Battle, when life starts getting back to what we'd call 'normal'.
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Fragment - Collection.
The Final Battle had affected all of the City, one way or another.
Mazurka's apartment was no exception. Her apartment building had only had the top most apartments demolished in the battle, leaving those below mostly intact.
Even if they had no power and no water.
Not that such things mattered, as Mazurka's apartment no longer had occupants.
The Clones had invited Shakey, Aesir, and Mazurka to move into the self-contained security of the Clone's own Secure Accommodation Compound, the 'Clone Zone'.
At least, until Mazurka's apartment was repaired.
Mazurka had jumped at the chance, especially since the Clones had discovered that most rewarding of activities, 'commandeering'…
With the widespread destruction, many people had lost everything they owned. Naturally, some had tried to salvage what they could from the wreckage. And naturally, quite a bit of what was salvaged, was OTHER people's property.
With the breakdown in Security services, it had been all too tempting to quietly pick something up out of the rubble, and take it away. Especially if it was something genuinely needed, such as food, clothing, hygiene or medical supplies.
The Clones were no exception, especially as Mazurka had practically ordered them to go out and 'acquire' what they needed from the wrecked buildings.
"It's no good to anyone if it rots in the rubble!" Mazurka had proclaimed, by way of authorising their actions.
"And it's not as if we're stealing either," Mazurka had added, "If we keep a record of what we take, we can pay the rightful owners back some day…"
So each day, squads of uniformed Clones patrolled the City, helping to keep Law and Order intact. And every night, squads of Clones swarmed stealthily across the City, taking whatever had been identified as worthwhile taking during the day.
Still, despite the freedom they had, the Clones were selective in their 'acquisitions', taking only those things they had genuine need for.
Naturally, every Clone now had access to a VERY well stocked wardrobe.
…As well as an EXTREMELY well stocked arsenal of weapons, taken from whatever source the Clones could find. As Mazurka had oh-so darkly observed, "We don't know what'll happen next, so we may as well be prepared with our own stash of essentials…"
The 'Anti-E.T. Field' weapons the STEELY troops had used, had confirmed that the Clones could not rely on their E.T. Fields. Accordingly, every Clone now carried at least a knife, handgun and pepper spray with them wherever they went.
Even Shakey now carried weapons as a matter of course. Although in his case…
"Do I have to?" Shakey whined nervously, on seeing the simple shoulder holster Mazurka had wanted him to wear.
"Yes," confirmed Mazurka, "All the Girls are carrying weapons…"
As proof, a Rave Clone in a school uniform pulled up her skirt, revealing a thigh holster on either leg with commando knife, automatic pistol and spare ammo…
"Is that all…" Shakey quipped, trying to joke his way out of things…
"No," replied the Clone, reaching under the chest straps of her school uniform and producing Pepper Spray, 'brass knuckles', a smoke grenade and throwing stars.
Shakey was stunned speechless.
Mazurka explained things to him, "The Girls know that they can't rely on their E.T. Fields for protection anymore. They carry physical weapons against the chance they'll need them… Shakey, even if you don't use the gun yourself, you can still lend it to one of the Girls if she needs it…"
Shakey swallowed heavily, and nodded his acceptance of reality.
Elsewhere, Kantsee nearly had a hernia as he tried to carry HIS selection…
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Fragment - Comparisons.
In the Clone Zone, Shakey Atari was facing one of the Great Trials of his life…
"How does this look?" asked Rave Clone #107, as she turned around before Shakey, showing off the fashionable outfit she was wearing.
She was currently modelling a Formal Evening Gown sort of thing, of a navy colour, and with a lot of sheer lacework covering her shoulders and neck. Sheer lace sleeves ran down her arms, and the ensemble reached to the floor.
The reason for the current Fashion show, was preparation for an upcoming Media Interview of the Clones and AVE Pilots.
"Err…" replied Shakey, slightly embarrassed at his lack of Couturial opinion, "You look… very nice…"
"The thigh holster shows," Mazurka added, giving the opinion of a 'Real Woman', "And the length of that dress will seriously hamper your getting your gun out…"
"So," breathed the Clone, "We will have to use alternate armament systems."
"No problem," Mazurka drawled, "Just do as the rest of us do, talk softly, and 'carry' in your handbag…"
"But this is all we have that goes with this outfit," protested the Clone, indicating a small clutch purse on a nearby table.
"Won't hold much…" Mazurka mused, "You'd be lucky getting a Derringer in it…"
"Shakey," said Mazurka, turning to smile warmly at the boy.
"What?" asked Shakey warily, not so much feeling an icy premonition of doom, as knowing from experience that Mazurka was going to ask him for a 'favour'.
"We'll get you to carry the armament," smiled Mazurka, "I'm sure you can hide a couple of Shoulder Holsters under your jacket… That'll let Rave carry something a bit more 'Lady Like' in her purse… Hmmm… Brass Knuckles perhaps?"
"Oy!" groaned Shakey.
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Fragment - Action Man.
The night of the Media Interview came, and Shakey was sweating bullets.
Almost literally. He was wearing double shoulder holsters, ones that put an automatic pistol and 2 spare clips of ammo under each arm. That wasn't all, his Dress Jacket had 2 more pistols and spare clips in it.
Now he stood before a full-length mirror, trying to reconcile his appearance with what he knew he was wearing.
"Nearly Ready?"
Shakey jumped at the sudden voice, and turned to see Kantsee Hayeater in the doorway, wearing a full length Trench coat.
"Kantsee," sighed Shakey, "You scared me…"
"Oh?" grinned Kantsee, "Lucky you aren't armed or I might have been shot…"
"I'm not exactly unarmed…" Shakey said dryly, opening his coat.
"That's not 'armed'…" Kantsee sneered good-naturedly, "Now THIS, is armed…"
With that, Kantsee opened his Trench coat, revealing it was lined with a somewhat wider selection of guns and ammo, including a pair of riot-shotguns.
"K-Kantsee?" Shakey croaked, "You've g-got…"
"Tear gas and Pepper Spray canisters in the pockets," said Kantsee happily, lifting out the mentioned items, "Then there's the grenades and…"
'Good LORD!' Shakey thought in disbelief, as his friend rambled on.
"So is that a pistol in your pocket?" asked Shakey, indicating a longish bulge in Kantsee's trousers, "Or are you just happy to be packing so much firepower?"
"Actually," Kantsee coughed, his face going pink, "That's a Riot Baton…"
"Is THAT what you tell the girls?" a newly arrived Mazurka asked impishly.
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Fragment - Ethics and Other Considerations.
It had been another long day at the Office, and Major Mazurka Kutsarug was glad to leave work and kick back and relax. Especially since she could do so in the Hot Tub located in the Clones Secure Accommodation Building.
"…aahhhh…" Mazurka sighed happily, closing her eyes as the effervescence of the warm water massaged her skin, and soaked away the stress of the day.
She took a swig from her soft-drink can, one of dozens in a handy ice filled crate. Since the recent troubles after the Final Battle, Mazurka had enough troubles just getting essential supplies into the City, let alone luxuries like a reliable supply of beer.
The sound made by the bubbling tub masked the opening of the door to the Hot Tub room, as well as the approach of Mazurka's visitor.
"…hmmmmm…?" Mazurka murmured, sensing a body sliding into the tub with her. She opened her eyes, to see one of the blonde-haired 'Disguised Clones' now seated in the tub across from her.
"…hi…" Mazurka acknowledged with a blissful smile, "…welcome to paradise…"
"You would consider bathing in a hot tub, 'paradise'?" the Clone asked.
"Yep!" confirmed Mazurka, "After the day I've had… This is the closest thing to being in Heaven without having to see Saint Peter…"
"You have had a bad day then?" asked the Clone, somewhat nervously.
"Yeah," agreed Mazurka, "You could say that…"
"Then I will not bother you," stated the Clone, standing up and starting to climb out of the hot tub.
"Don't worry!" protested Mazurka, "Company won't stop me from enjoying the tub…"
The Clone halted, midway out of the tub, and turned her head to look at Mazurka, "Actually…" She said in a quiet voice, "I meant to ask you for advice…"
"Shoot!" Mazurka sighed, thinking, 'I knew this was too good to last… At least it's probably only Girls Talk, and NOT more office work involving dealing with some arrogant pencil-pushing jerk…'
The Clone slid back into the Hot Tub, and lowered her head, facing away from Mazurka, and appearing to inspect the roiling surface of the steamy water.
Time stretched, as Mazurka waited patiently for the Clone to speak.
The Clone glanced at Mazurka, before looking away again, "We know how others have seen us… How others… may… see us…"
Mazurka winced, as the Clone's words brought back bad memories.
"Is Aesir or anyone else giving you… 'problems'?" Mazurka asked, an angry look on her face, "If so, just…"
"No!" the Clone interrupted, her face turning a deeper shade of pink, "We are not having trouble with anyone… It is just… that…"
Mazurka leaned forward slightly, her attention focussed on the Clone, rather than on the relaxing tub she was in.
"…we are not Human…" the Clone said in a small voice, "…so how can we be a sister to one…?"
Mazurka leaned back, a relieved smile on her face, "Don't worry! Shakey doesn't resent your 'parentage'… As far as he's concerned, you're 'family'…"
"That is my point," stated the Clone, "What if we want to be… more… than that?"
"More?" Mazurka asked, the puzzled look on her face rapidly changing as she realised what the Clone meant, "You mean…?"
"…could we be… a wife… to him…?" the Clone asked quietly.
Mazurka swallowed nervously, 'I knew Rave 'liked' Shakey, but…'
The Clone patiently waited for Mazurka to respond.
Mazurka thought furiously, then frowned slightly as she spoke her mind, "Rave… This is NOT going to be a simple answer…"
The Clone nodded, as she looked intently at Mazurka.
"To start with…" Mazurka paused, groping for the right words, "There's the part of your DNA that you have from his mother… That fact alone, made Shakey adopt all of you as his 'half-sisters' in the first place… As far as he's concerned, you ARE family… relatives of his, despite your… origins…"
The Clone listened without reaction to Mazurka's statement of the obvious.
"Now…" Mazurka said nervously, "SOME people… may think that fact makes you more… 'closely related'… to him… than any 'sister' could be…"
"Yes," the Clone agreed, "But they would be wrong. We are NOT cloned copies of his mother. Genetically, we are NOT her, therefore, we are NOT his 'mother', nor are we his 'aunts', as any genetic twin of his mother would be."
"But," Mazurka countered, "You STILL have DNA from his mother in you… So many people would say that makes you 'closely related' in any case…"
"Irrelevant," the Clone replied, in a tone that sounded too much like Glando Atari for Mazurka's liking, "For two reasons… First… You also have DNA from his mother in you, as…"
"WHAT?" Mazurka exclaimed, sitting upright, "I'm not related to Shakey at all!"
"Incorrect," The Clone said, again sounding far too much like Glando Atari for Mazurka's peace of mind, "Natural variation among Humans, is less than one percent of the total amount of Human DNA. All Humans have a 99.8 percent match of their genetic coding, their 'Species-type' DNA, in common with each other…"
"The remaining Genetic Material," continued the Clone, "Is also 'common', in that is shared by many humans. However, this DNA results in the slight physical differences we use to recognise one another as 'individuals'. Variations in hair, eye, skin colour, the shapes of faces, etc, are all the result of the 'Individual-type' DNA, in our DNA code patterns."
Mazurka rubbed her temples, trying to soothe the headache she felt developing.
"But…" Mazurka countered, "If you Clones have… a greater than 99 per cent match of his mother's DNA, regardless of whether it's 'species' or 'individual' DNA… Doesn't that make you just as much a 'relative' as I am? Especially if it isn't just her 'species' DNA that was used, but her 'individual' DNA?"
"No," said the Clone, shaking her head for emphasis, "You forget the rest of our genetic heritage. No other Human on earth has genetic material from the same non-human source as we. The Alien DNA we have, makes our DNA coding far more exotic than that of any 'normal' human. In effect, we are LESS related to Shakey, than any other Human on earth…"
Mazurka rubbed her temples again, 'Damn! I'm going to need Aspirin after this…'
"But…" Mazurka seized on the Clone's own information, "If you're still… 99 per cent Human, genetically speaking, and since it's his mother's DNA that's involved… Wouldn't that suggest, that you could be as close to him as any 'half-sister' COULD get, based on the amount of 'common' DNA, 'species' or 'individual', that Shakey could get from his mother…"
"…" the Clone fell silent.
Mazurka wasn't sure if she should be happy with her Brilliant, Soft-drink-Powered Analysis and Critical Dissection of the Clone's argument or not.
'I don't want to hurt them, or their hopes,' Mazurka thought, 'But it's better they should stop and THINK about such things, before going and doing something that could screw their lives up…'
The Clone paused for a few heartbeats, then continued in a much more subdued tone, "The second reason… We do not even have a 99 per cent match with his mother, let alone any other human…"
Although the Clone's face was down turned, and the fringe of her hair hid her eyes, Mazurka was still able to see tears running down the Clone's cheeks.
"Genetically, we…" the Clone struggled for the words, "…are less human… than a… chimpanzee… …and they… are animals…" the Clone's voice whispered into silence.
Mazurka felt sick as she realised what the Clone was trying to say, 'They don't even see themselves as Human… Does that mean they don't expect to be treated as if they were People?'
Mazurka took a deep breath, then she stood up in the Hot Tub, and sloshed her way over to the Clone. Mazurka paused, then with a determined look on her face, she sat down next to the Clone and hugged her.
The clone tensed slightly at Mazurka's unexpected action, then relaxed, resting her head on Mazurka's shoulder and looping her arms around the older woman, and hugging her back
"Rave," Mazurka said, slowly and clearly, "You seem to think that your DNA coding somehow makes you less than human… an 'animal'. Well, I don't believe that your existence as a 'person', can be measured on some graph, or determined by some test done in a laboratory!"
"As far as I'm concerned," Mazurka continued, "You're all PEOPLE… That means that you've got as much right to happiness, as ANY Human…"
"…thank you…" whispered the Clone, momentarily tightening her hug on Mazurka.
"But…" Mazurka hated to spoil the Clone's mood, "As far as marrying Shakey, or any one else goes… You've got more to consider than whether or not you're 'Human'. You've got to consider how the other person sees you…"
"Yes," the Clone admitted, "We had considered that… As Shakey sees us as his only living 'relatives', we know we would have no chance at marrying him… But we did not think it would hurt to dream about it…"
"I wouldn't say that," Mazurka said slyly.
A slightly worried look came over the Clone's face as she lifted her head to look at Mazurka's face, "What do you mean?"
"Rave Dear," Mazurka smiled, "Have you ever heard the term 'Kissing cousins'?"
"No," the Clone replied, "What does it mean?"
"Well," drawled Mazurka, "It means that even though people are 'related', they are NOT so closely related, that they CAN'T marry each other…"
"I do not understand," the puzzled Clone replied, "How does that apply to us?"
"Shakey may only ever see you as 'relatives'," grinned Mazurka, "But as you've just pointed out, you really CAN'T be seen as his 'half-sisters'…"
A smile spread over the Clone's face as the meaning of Mazurka's words sank in.
"So…" the Clone whispered, a hint of hope in her voice, "We may have a chance?"
"Perhaps," stressed Mazurka, "But it all depends on whether or not Shakey can accept such a radical change in his personal viewpoint… Personally speaking, I believe it would be VERY difficult, but NOT impossible… PROVIDED… You took your time and went slowly, one step at a time!"
"How long," asked the Clone, cutting to the heart of the matter.
Mazurka sighed, "Well, he'll need a LOT more maturity than he has now, and THAT only comes with time and life experience! I'd say a couple of years at least!"
The Clone nodded, "We will be patient!"
"So you're going to try and change his mind then?" Mazurka queried.
"Yes," confirmed the Clone, a note of determination in her voice, "We may as well see what Dreams we can make real in this life… But…"
"But?" asked Mazurka.
The Clone moved in Mazurka's arms, breaking the hug. She stood up and walked up the steps to the edge of the Hot Tub, water dripping off her body.
"But…" the Clone said timidly, facing Mazurka, "Even if we can convince him that we are Human… And not… closely related… There's…" she trailed off.
"Yes?" Mazurka asked gently, "What is it?"
The Clone lowered her gaze, her cheeks suddenly a deep pink, "Mazurka… There are other things we need to know… Personal things…"
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Fragment - Eye for Figures.
In a Hot Tub in the Clones Secure Accommodation Building, a nervous Rave Clone was trying to engage in 'Girls Talk' with her Guardian, Major Mazurka Kutsarug.
"Hey," Mazurka gently reassured, "You can talk to me about anything…"
The Clone drew a deep breath, then pressed on, "Are we…" the Clone hesitated, "…adequately attractive?"
"Of course you are!" Mazurka smiled, "Even without your hair dyes, you…"
"That is not what we meant…" interrupted the Clone, sweeping her hands down, indicating her trim hourglass figure, "Are our figures… adequately attractive?"
"Are your figures…?" Mazurka nearly choked in disbelief, as she looked at Rave's well developed teenage physique, "Rave Dear, trust me on this! You DON'T have to worry about that!" Mazurka then started laughing her head off.
"Wh-Why would you ask something like that?" Mazurka wheezed, once she had her laughter under control.
"Well," the rather embarrassed looking Clone said, "Our Social Camouflage Training has taught us to compare our appearances to those around us, to make sure that we blend in… To help us, we have read various magazines…"
"Oh Rave," said Mazurka dismissively, "You shouldn't put too much stock in what Fashion Magazines say! They ALWAYS exaggerate, and they always try to look as if they're 'in-touch' with things, by promoting the latest fad! I remember when I was young, the current 'look' was something you only got from either special genetics, severe hormonal problems, Anorexia Nervosa, or plain old starvation!"
"Actually," said the Clone, her face blushing a deep red, "I was not talking about Fashion Magazines…"
"Oh?" Mazurka asked, taking another swig of her soft-drink, "What ones do you mean? Not the 'Movie Star and Celebrity Gossip' ones I hope, they're almost as bad…"
"No," said the Clone, "I'm referring to Men's magazines…"
Mazurka immediately choked on her soft-drink.
"M-men's magazines?" Mazurka spluttered, once she'd gotten her airway clear.
"Yes," the Clone innocently confirmed, "Since we wanted to make ourselves attractive to Shakey, we decided to research what adolescent males and grown men find attractive in a woman…"
"W-what magazines did you read?" Mazurka croaked, dreading the answer.
Rave then named a rather long list of various 'Magazines', mostly of the type that are read with only **ONE** hand…
"Oh Rave…" groaned Mazurka, "Don't use THEM to learn what a 'normal' man wants in a woman… They're COMPLETELY out of touch with the reality of what a relationship entails… You only have to read the 'Letters to the Editor' to see what sort of losers read them…"
"Yes," admitted the Clone, "We had wondered about some of those…"
"Is THAT why you thought your figures were… 'inadequate'?" asked Mazurka, "You'd been comparing yourself to the women in those… 'magazines'?"
"Yes," stated the Clone, "We noticed that their figures were… better endowed… than ours are, and so we were wondering if…" she trailed off, her face a deep red.
"If what?" Mazurka hesitantly prompted, while praying, 'Please don't have her ask if they can have 'Plastic Surgery' like the models probably did…'
"Mazurka?" the Clone timidly asked, "May we ask you a personal question?"
"Shoot!" said Mazurka, despite her apprehension at the Clones words.
"Do men really prefer women with large breasts?"
The question took Mazurka by complete surprise, she blushed and looked away.
"The reason we ask," said the Clone, "Is that you are… better endowed… than we are, and you have had more experience in… relationships than we have… So…"
"The sort of sleaze," Mazurka muttered darkly, "Who only wants you for your body, should be avoided at ALL costs…"
"I do not understand," stated the puzzled Clone, "Are you saying, I should not have a relationship with a man who thinks I am physically attractive?"
"Uh… What I mean is…" Mazurka said warily, "A man… will always be attracted to a figure he considers 'attractive'… And different men will find… different types of figures attractive… The point is…" Mazurka trailed off.
The Clone waited.
Mazurka rallied, "The Point is… Your figure may attract a man, but if it's ONLY your body he's interested in, then he's the wrong sort of man to be having a relationship with in the first place. The relationship WILL fail…"
"So," the Clone mused, "Physical attractiveness is not an important factor in a relationship?"
"Not… exactly," Mazurka admitted, "Your figure, or rather, your APPEARANCE, may be what initially 'attracts' a man, but it's the Person INSIDE the body who keeps him 'attracted', keeps him IN a relationship, as time goes on…"
"Rave…" Mazurka said in a low voice, "There's something you MUST get straight about things like this…"
The Clone gave Mazurka her full attention.
"As you go through life," Mazurka advised, "You'll meet all types of men. Most will be capable of having successful relationships, but quite a few won't. Many of those unable to have successful relationships, have psychological, emotional, or other problems."
"It doesn't mean they're bad people," Mazurka hastened to add, "Just that… any attempt at having a relationship with them will be a lot harder, if not impossible… Especially since their problems can result in… sexual dysfunction…"
"Sexual dysfunction?" asked the Clone, "Are they unable to have sex?"
"Something… like that," Mazurka evasively admitted, "Usually, it means that they can't have a normal sexual relationship, so instead they become… fetishists…"
"Fetishists? Is that some sort of celibate religious order?"
"Noooo," sighed Mazurka, "That's what a person becomes when, instead of growing beyond their attraction to the body and becoming attracted to the person inside the body, they can only become attracted to some aspect OF the body…"
"Like the size of a woman's breasts?"
"Yes," confirmed Mazurka, "That male fetish is so common, it's not really seen as a fetish. Not like say, someone who is only attracted by a person's hair, or even worse, their age, or an inanimate object, like ropes or clothing…"
The Clone had a thoughtful look on her face, "Many of the magazines had women dressed in uniforms, and strange underwear… Are they fetishes as well?"
Mazurka shrugged, "Uniforms usually are, as is 'strange underwear', especially if it's vinyl or rubber. However, silk, satin or lace Lingerie, is often used to indicate that the wearer wants to have an intimate relationship with the person she's wearing it for, the one she trusts enough to show it off to…"
"Were the women in those magazines advertising their desire for a relationship?"
"I DON'T think so!" exclaimed Mazurka, "They were probably paid to model for those photos… Rave, you have to understand, the sort of 'Magazines' you've been using for 'research', are all about Male Sexual Fantasies. They're sold primarily to those males who either have trouble with 'real' relationships, or who have some sort of fetish fixation, either mild or severe…"
"I see…" said the Clone, before lapsing into a thoughtful silence.
Mazurka took advantage of the situation, to swig a much-needed six-pack of soft-drink.
"Mazurka?" the Clone suddenly asked, "Do you know if Shakey has any fetishes?"
The question hardly fazed Mazurka, with a derisive snort she replied, "I don't think he's 'mature enough' to have developed any!"
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Fragment - Sharing Confidences.
In the aftermath of the Final Battle, everything had changed in the world. Yet, as the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same…
…The every day dramas in Human lives were no exception…
Aesir twirled around the apartment in her new silk dress, showing it off to the Clones. The Clones watched, politely observing the fine points of the outfits tailoring, the cut, the style, fabric, fit…
That Aesir was also wearing a matching hat made of the same material, was something the Clones politely ignored. As they did the matter of the hat covering only a short fuzz of regrowing hair, rather than the long tresses Aesir had sported until recently…
The subject of Aesir's 'lack of hair' had been tactfully handled by first swathing her head in bandages, then by a series of concealing ensembles with hats and scarves whenever she made a 'brief' public appearance.
Even so, Aesir had taken the loss of the most visible aspect of her femininity rather hard, and the current 'Dress Up' session with the Clones was Mazurka's idea of trying to get the red-haired… err… red-fuzzed girl to cheer up a little.
Even Shakey was trying to help, although in his case, all he felt capable of was making and serving refreshments, as he was now doing.
Unfortunately, Aesir bumped into Shakey. Not a great misfortune in itself, except that Shakey happened to be carrying drinks for them at the time.
The drink tray slipped, and the various drinks went all over Aesir…
…AND Aesir's brand new, highly expensive, and not-yet-worn-once SILK outfit…
Aesir gasped, as the cold liquid trickled down, and into her clothes. The startled look on her face, soon gave to fury as she looked at the stained silk.
"YOU STUPID IDIOT!" Aesir yelled, drawing her hand back for a slap.
Shakey cringed away from Aesir's retaliatory strike, shutting his eyes, and half-heartedly putting up his arms to ward off the blow he knew was coming, and which he felt he more than half-deserved.
*SLAP!* The sound of a palm striking a cheek rang through the apartment.
Shakey tensed, anticipating the pain. When it didn't come, he opened his eyes, only to have another type of fear suddenly bloom within him.
Standing between Shakey and Aesir, was one of the Rave Clones.
Aesir stood as if frozen, a look of disbelief on her face.
The Clone turned to Shakey, displaying a pink handprint on her cheek.
"Please Excuse Us," said the Clone in calm, polite tones. Then the Clone turned and grabbed Aesir, lifting her bodily off the floor, before rapidly walking into Aesir's room and slamming the door behind them.
The sound of the lock clicking shut thundered through the suddenly silent apartment, followed soon after by angry voices that filtered out from behind the locked door.
Shakey walked toward Aesir's door, but another of the Clones stopped him.
"Do not disturb them," advised the Clone, "They need to discuss things privately."
"What sort of things?" asked Shakey worriedly, genuinely fearful for both of the girls in Aesir's room.
"You would not understand," replied the Clone quietly.
"Why not?"
"You are a Boy," stated the Clone, with a deadpan expression, "And Boys never understand Girls' Talk…"
In the room, Aesir had gotten over her surprise, and had gone on the attack.
"What do you think you're doing?" Aesir yelled at the Clone, "I had…"
The Clone slapped Aesir's face, HARD, then screamed at her, "SHUT UP and LISTEN!"
Aesir shut up. She stumbled back against the wall, her hand on her stinging cheek. She was mentally stunned by the actions of the normally placid Clone, and by the look of outraged frustration in the Clone's eyes.
"Why do you DO this all the time?" demanded the Clone.
"What?" was all Aesir's fuddled mind could reply.
"Throw away your chances with him like that!"
Aesir gaped at the Clone.
"Why do you do it Aesir? Do you WANT him as your boyfriend, or NOT?"
"Who'd want a jerk like HIM as a boyfriend?"
"WE would!" snarled the Clone.
"What?" gasped Aesir, before getting up on her oh-so-self-righteous-soapbox, "That's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard! You're related to him…"
The Clone took a deep breath, then continued in more normal tones, "What makes you think we are… related… to him?"
"You're made from his mother's DNA…"
"So what?"
"So What?! That makes you her 'daughters', and thus his 'sisters'!"
"Oh?" replied the Clone coolly, "Is that how you figure it, then?"
"Uh Huh!," stated Aesir, confident in her own analysis of things.
"What do you know about Genetic Engineering?" the Clone asked softly.
"Well… To start with…"
The Clone didn't let Aesir finish, "That was a rhetorical question, Aesir. It does not matter what you do, or do not know about any subject. What DOES matter, is how you interpret the facts. Yes, we DO have DNA from his mother in us…"
"There!" exclaimed Aesir, "Even you admit you're related to…"
"So do you," stated the Clone, looking Aesir in the eyes.
"What?" Aesir spluttered, "I'm NOT related to him at…"
"Yes you are," interrupted the Clone, "The DNA sequence of every Human is almost identical to every OTHER Human… Far greater than a 99 Per Cent match… Every human who has ever lived on this planet, is THAT closely related to him!"
Aesir stared defiantly at the Clone, "AND? Your DNA sequence must be even closer to his, being from his mother and all…"
The Clone paused slightly, "Our DNA sequence is… not so close to a normal Humans… A chimpanzee, has a DNA sequence roughly 98 per cent identical to a Human's. Yet, it is still an 'animal'… It is NOT related to him…"
"What are you saying?" scoffed Aesir, "That just because your DNA has somehow been 'customised', that you're not related to him? You've STILL got DNA from his mother, regardless of how they spliced it!"
The Clone held a hand out, palm upwards. A golden ball of energy flickered into existence in her palm.
"Do you know what THIS is?" the Clone asked, raising her hand towards Aesir.
Aesir snorted, "An E.T. Field…"
The Clone looked at the ball in her hand, "Good. Now can you tell me, what three things in this world, can produce them?"
Aesir rolled her eyes, "Alien War machines, AVE Marias, and you Clones."
"You do know," said the Clone quietly, "That the AVE's were created from Alien Technology? BIO… Technology… From parts of their DNA equivalent?"
"Of course," Aesir shrugged, "Everyone knows THAT!"
"How do you spell AVE Maria in English?" the Clone asked.
Aesir rolled her eyes, and recited "A-V-E… M-A-R-I-A"
"And how do you spell Rave in English?" the Clone softly asked.
"R-A-V-…" Aesir trailed off, a disturbed look on her face, as her mind told her the answer to 2+2 not only equalled 4, but might also be the square root of 16…
"So," sighed the Clone, "Putting all of that together… And knowing that body parts of the AVE Maria's were grown, rather than made, in rather large 'artificial wombs'… What might that suggest about we Rave Clones?"
When Aesir didn't reply, the Clone continued, "Yes, Aesir… We Clones have DNA from Shakey's mother in us. But, your DNA sequence has MORE in common with his mother than ours does…"
Aesir didn't say anything, she just stood there, staring at the Clone.
"ALL… of your DNA… is Human in origin…" finished the Clone…
Aesir didn't reply, she just looked at the floor.
"Did you ever wonder just what it was, that we were Clones OF?" the Clone asked.
Getting no response, the Clone continued, 'spelling it out' for Aesir.
"We are clones of a Genetic Construct. A 'Chimera', with mixed Human, and Alien DNA. Although of 'dual heritage', we are neither Human, nor Alien…"
Aesir remained silent, her face a deep red.
"Just because our DNA has sequences in it from his mother, does not make us 'related' to him. It does not even make us 'Human'… You are fully Human. Thus, you are more closely related to him, than we Clones are…"
"…I didn't know…" Aesir whispered.
"Now you do," replied the Clone, "By the way, the name 'Rave', is really an acronym of the English words, 'Recombinant Alien Verisimilitude Entity'…"
"Does Shakey know…" Aesir finally murmured.
"Yes. That is why he 'adopted' us as his 'half-sisters' in the first place… It was how he dealt with the information at the time. Although, he is gradually accepting our viewpoint, and now sees us more as 'cousins', rather than as 'siblings'…"
Silence followed.
"So… What now?" Aesir asked quietly.
"That depends on YOU," replied the Clone, "A long time ago, we decided that we wanted him to be happy… If that meant… with someone else… so be it… If you want him, we won't get in the way… UNLESS you keep acting like that…"
The Clone gave Aesir a hard look, "Make no mistake. We will NOT stand by and allow him to get hurt! Physically, mentally, or emotionally. If you want him as your boyfriend, and if that is acceptable to him… We will accept his choice…"
"If…" muttered Aesir darkly, "If… he sees you as 'cousins'… What's to stop any of you from trying to make him your boyfriend?"
The Clone didn't reply, prompting Aesir to look at the Clone.
Aesir blinked in surprise, as she saw tears running down the Clones face.
"We…" the Clone trembled as she tried to reply, "Cannot be… what normal women can be… to him… We… cannot… bear… his children…"
Aesir looked at the Clone before her. A being that with but a thought, could destroy mountains, change a river's course, or negate the power of an Atomic Bomb. A Mighty Being that was so much more than Aesir could ever hope to be…
"Do… you know…" the Clone struggled to speak, "How much we… envy… you? You can give him… what we… cannot…"
A Mighty Being that envied what any ordinary woman like Aesir could do…
Aesir didn't know what to say. So she went over to the Clone and hugged her, commiserating with her as only a fellow woman could. The Clone flinched slightly, then accepted Aesir's comforting embrace.
Out in the Living Room, Shakey was pretending to watch TV. He was also pretending not to be worried by the noise, or lack of same, from Aesir's room…
'They've been in there for a while,' he thought, 'I hope things are all right…' He turned to the Clone beside him, opening his mouth to ask, but stopped as he noticed that she was crying silently.
"What's wrong?" Shakey asked gently.
The Clone didn't reply, she just lowered her head and blushed.
"Hey…" Shakey said, putting an arm around the Clone in an attempt to comfort her, "Is it to do with the… current situation with Aesir?"
The Clone hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Shakey offered.
The Clone replied by curling up against Shakey, turning so her face rested against the side of his neck, and putting her own arm around him to hug him back.
"There, there…" Shakey murmured, trying to comfort the unhappy Clone.
'I know they can protect themselves physically in a fight,' Shakey thought uneasily, 'But for her to be reacting like this… Aesir must be getting really catty…'
It was some time afterward that the door to Aesir's room opened.
Shakey heard the door open, and turned his head in time to see Aesir and the other Clone walk out.
…Both of them smiling at each other like friends…
Shakey blinked in surprise. From how the Clone beside him had been reacting, he'd expected one, or both of the girls to be in tears.
Shakey sighed, 'I guess boys like me DON'T understand 'Girls Talk'…'
======================================================================
Fragment - Similarities.
In the months that followed the Final Battle, people throughout Japan found themselves looking back over their lives.
For some, it was the rueful recriminations of those knowing their time in this Mortal World was running out. For others, it was part of the natural process of healing the emotional trauma they'd incurred.
The Government tried their best to help the General Population heal themselves. This was not so much for purely altruistic purposes. Although any politician would certainly say so, but for the sake of repairing the nation's workforce.
The Media were only too happy to do their part, using their resources to broadcast a variety of highly popular programs. That they made a small fortune form advertisements during the shows in question, only prompted repeat showings, and the development of 'variations' on proven themes.
The Merchants were only too happy to join in and do their 'Civic Duty', especially since it also enabled them to make a 'comfortable profit'.
Bookstores made small fortunes on 'self-help' books, and on general 'escapist' literature. Theatres had record attendances, despite reduced screenings. Museums and Art Galleries found themselves patronised to capacity.
Basically, People made of the most of what was available…
…As did those who genetically weren't…
In an Art Museum in New Kyoto, a small crowd of tourists were looking at the latest 'touring exhibit', a collection of high-quality reproductions of some of Europe's most prized art works.
"…we do not understand?" an 'island girl' with brown hair, deep tan, wearing blue jeans, 'elevator boots' and loose-fitting turtle-neck pullover said.
"…about what?" her mature female companion, dressed in traditional Chinese dress, double side buns and wide-eyed glasses, whispered back.
"Art is supposed to be symbolic, representative," the disguised Rave Clone stated, staring at a piece of geometrically impossible 'Modern Art', "Yet what is this supposed to represent or symbolise?"
A disguised Mazurka stared long and hard at the jagged jumble of lines that careened all over the picture before her, before shrugging her shoulders and saying, "Chaos? Upset Emotional state of the Painter?"
"Um?" A 'Nice Young Man' in neatly combed back hair, glasses and 'neat casual' attire of dress slacks, sweater, and tie, leapt into action (almost as fast as he had when piloting an AVE), reading verbatim from his copy of the exhibition guide book, "The guide book says, 'Modern State of the Straight and Narrow'?"
"Oh!" Shakey's comment brought Instant Enlightenment to Mazurka, "The term 'Straight and Narrow' refers to adherence to a Strict Code of Moral Conduct, one that is supposed to make the world a better place, and improve the prospects of those who adhere to the path in the world, or life, after this one…"
The Clone blinked, "But if it is supposed to represent something that is 'straight and narrow', shouldn't it BE 'straight and narrow'?"
"It's a play on words," Mazurka explained, "No 'Strict Code of Moral Conduct' seems to survive long before being re-written by those who supposedly follow it. Religion is rife with examples, Politics is even worse. In the context of the name it has, this painting is obviously a sarcastic appraisal of the hypocrisies and failings of all those creeds claiming to be the 'one true' one…"
"Sarcastic?"
Mazurka shrugged, "Sarcastic comes from Sarcasm, a Gaijin (Foreigner) cultural Mind-set thing. It means mocking or humourous language used to convey scorn or insult, especially when highlighting some incongruity or irrationality. Since Art is based on the symbolic interpretation of human experience, you won't 'get' some art pieces until you've had the life experience that is relevant to understanding the symbols in question…"
"Then this," said the Clone, her eyes scrutinising the art before her, "Could be taken as one person's response to the truths revealed in the Final Battle? When what was thought to be true, was shown to be a lie? Could this indicate the resulting disillusionment and confusion of one who now knows they were lied to?"
Mazurka took a moment to consider the Clone's appraisal, then grudgingly admitted, "Could be! Or if not, then some other betrayal of trust…"
The trio toured through the Museum, taking in the sights.
"What does the man sitting on a rock symbolise?" the Clone referred to a replica of Roden's famous sculpture, 'The Thinker'.
"Probably 'thinking' of that one over there," Mazurka returned with a smirk, gesturing towards another replica sculpture, that of a man and a woman sitting on a rock wrapped in a passionate embrace.
And so it went…
Then…
"…this one?" the Clone suddenly stopped, transfixed by another replica statue…
It stood in its own alcove, a headless, armless sculpture of a half-naked female partly dressed in flowing robes.
"Venus De Milo?" Mazurka pursed her lips in deep thought, "No-one's really sure. There's so many thing it might symbolise, that you could write a book on it…"
The Clone gazed at the statue, feeling a strange affinity towards it…
…it is… not the original… it is a reproduction… a manufactured copy…
…yet… it still has… presence… and an impact on us…
…why?
The Clones pondered the statue, and the strange feeling it provoked in them.
…it has no head…
…no mouth to speak with…
…no face to show emotion…
…no arms to hold another…
…nor hands to take control of its own life…
As the Clone continued to stare, another point sank in…
…white rock…
…the skin is pale like ours is…
Realisation dawned…
…what colour… were its eyes? Its hair?
…its existence… Is like ours…
…we too, were made to be what another wanted…
…we too were to exist only as others would let us…
…we too, had no voice…
…we too, had no face that could cry…
…we too, had no hands that served our will…
"…sister…" the Clone whispered the one word, her eyes never leaving the carved lump of white rock before her…
======================================================================
Fragment - Alliances
The Christmas and New Year's Day periods immediately following the Final Battle were extremely lucrative. Everyone NEEDED the 'escape' the traditional holidays provided, and the General Populace tried to 'escape' with a vengeance.
After the New Year had settled in, the merchants happily considered the potential of the next 'Big Item' on the Merchant's Social Calendar.
The Japanese version of 'Valentine's Day'…
"Schiesse!" Aesir muttered under her breath, as she checked out the price tag on a small gift selection of chocolates, "Why's everything's so expensive?"
"Supply and Demand," muttered Mazurka, longingly appraising a collection of rich 'liquor' chocolates, "When everyone wants something, the price goes up…"
"Huh!" snorted Aesir, "Even so, these prices are too much! I mean, I could understand if these were top-quality imported Swiss Chocolates… But…"
"No chance," Mazurka sourly advised, "Even IF you could find someone who had them… Which I seriously doubt… They'd be TOTALLY out of your budget…"
Aesir muttered something under her breath.
"So you'll just have to make do with what's available," Mazurka concluded.
Aesir sighed, and irritably looked over the expensive, and in her opinion, over-priced items available.
"No," Aesir suddenly said, "This is NOT suitable… I will NOT be 'ripped off' by a marketing scam some overpaid executive thought up…"
"It's not a scam," a shop assistant said, in response to having overheard Aesir's comments, "The domestic demand this year has completely outstripped all available supply… Not just in Japan, but all over the World…"
Aesir blushed slightly.
The shop assistant continued, her voice polite, but her eyebrow raised suggestively, "This selection is all we have been able to arrange… If it is inadequate for your needs, then may I humbly suggest you try elsewhere?"
Aesir's blush deepened at what the Shop Assistant's polite comments insinuated.
The sudden appearance of a Security Guard in the background prompted Mazurka to take action.
Mazurka grabbed Aesir and started to drag the startled girl off.
"That's okay," Mazurka cheerily announced as she clamped her hand over Aesir's mouth, "We were only window-shopping anyway…"
Once outside the shop, Mazurka released her hold on Aesir.
"Why'd you do that?" Aesir demanded, "We weren't doing anything wrong! I was quite within my rights to protest what I thought was a rip-off…"
"Aesir!" Mazurka snapped, "LISTEN to me! This ISN'T Europe… It's Japan! Over here we DON'T go around shooting our mouths off like that! Especially not in Public, and NOT over something so trivial as chocolates! And NOT when we're trying to be 'low-key' and not attract attention!" the last was said in an aggressive whisper.
"But…"
"NO BUTS!" Mazurka insisted, as they walked down the street, "Everyone in this Country wants to have some proof that their dreams can still exist. The existence of 'Luxury' items they can pamper themselves with, is something they can use as a psychological crutch… Regardless of what that crutch costs them…"
Aesir didn't reply.
Mazurka's tone softened, "We've all been through a lot in this City…"
"…all I wanted was decently priced chocolate…" Aesir muttered.
"You aren't the only one," Mazurka agreed.
Hours later, and the diligent pair still hadn't found an end to their quest…
"Well…" mumbled Aesir, "That's it then… Every where's the same… Even cooking chocolate is pricey enough to be almost priceless…"
"If it was 'priceless', we could afford it…" retorted Mazurka, before she sighed and lamented, "Looks like we'll have to go without this year…"
"That's not fair," whined Aesir, "We should…"
Aesir suddenly fell silent, as a gleam of inspiration appeared in her eye.
"Mazurka…" Aesir said quietly, "What about the price of Cocoa powder…"
"Cocoa powder?" Mazurka repeated, "If you want a hot drink, you can get one from a vending machine. You don't have to make it yourself…"
Realisation dawned in Mazurka's eyes, "You mean…? You can…? You know how to…?"
A crafty look appeared on Aesir's face as she arched an eyebrow, and said in a very fake German accent, "Ve haf vays, to make you chocs!"
"What's needed?" Mazurka whispered conspiratorially.
Aesir grinned, as she whispered back in Mazurka's ear…
Hours later, and Aesir had commandeered the kitchen facilities of the Clone Zone… As well as a dozen Rave Clone assistants.
"Right!" Aesir grinned as she rolled up her sleeves, "Rave! Pay attention! I will now show you how a **REAL** woman makes chocolate! The secret lies in…"
With that, Aesir began the long, arduous process that would yield… CHOCOLATE…
Hours later, and the first batch was ready for consumption…
"Wrap your laughing gear around THAT!" ordered Aesir, as Mazurka and the Clones sampled the fruits of her labours.
"shGood!" Mazurka slurred approvingly from around a greedy mouthful.
"It IS agreeable," commented the Clones, as they nibbled at their samples.
Aesir grinned maniacally at the others' homage to her Superior Femininity…
"Now Rave," Aesir sweetly challenged, "See if any of YOU can do as well!"
So it was, that on Valentine's day Shakey found himself the unexpected recipient of a veritable truck-load of diet-busting sweetness.
"…wha…?" Shakey whined, "I'll never be able to eat all of this by myself…"
"We will be happy to assist you," the Clones helpfully offered, as any True Friend would when such a situation arises.
Aesir wasn't upset at the Clones truck-load of chocolate to Shakey. 'Heh!' her ego reasoned, 'They owe all their success to **ME**!'
The fact that Mazurka had successfully sold several tonnes of the Clones' earlier attempts on the local Black Market didn't faze Aesir in the least…
Nor did the 'comfortable profit' that had resulted…
(NOTE! This fragment was written while under the influence of an overdose of the Sixth Food Group, Chocolate!)
======================================================================
The END of this Fragment of "Altered Lives (The Parody)"
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