Disclaimer: See Prologue
Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)
Chapter 2
2016
Six Months since Third Impact
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"Well, what do you think?" A very excited Misato asked, gesturing around the very spacious apartment.
"Wow! This place is huge!" Shinji exclaimed, walking around the apartment with Rei in tow. "How many bedrooms does it have?"
"Four, one for each of us. And a separate living-room and family-room." She said with a hint of giddiness.
"What is a family-room?" Rei asked.
"Yeah?" Shinji added.
"It's like a casual living-room. It's where you go to hang out or watch television; it's a western thing." Asuka answered, walking around taking in the atmosphere of the place.
"How can you afford this place?" She asked.
"Apparently there is a huge salary difference between Operations Director and Sub-Commander. My new salary just kicked in and I got paid in arrears. So I had more than enough for the first, last and security."
"So when can we move in?" Shinji asked. Misato looked out the window. "Right now." Everyone else went to the window to see what she was looking at. A moving truck had just pulled up and began unloading. She opened the window and waved. "Up here guys!"
The crew chief waved back and instructed his men to haul the stuff up to their apartment.
The Children all looked at her. She shrugged and gave a guilty smile, "I couldn't wait. Tehehehe."
"Wow! Have you seen the size of the bedrooms?" Shinji yelled.
"And they each have their own bathroom, including a shower."
"This is far more space than I require." Rei observed.
"Then you won't mind if I place some of my stuff in your room will you First Child." Asuka stated with a sly grin.
Before Rei could agree or protest, Misato said, "That won't be necessary Asuka. You can put any of your things that don't fit in your room in the study."
"Still in storage, hey." Asuka said, her disappointment was readily evident.
"No, the study is yours. You'll need it for all the work you'll be bringing home."
"Don't remind me."
"WOW! Take a look at this kitchen!" Shinji hollered.
"Mmm, plenty of counter space for preparing a feast… saaay for a celebration party." Misato grinned wickedly.
"Party?" Asuka replied suspiciously as she walked over to the refrigerator and opened it to find it well stocked with YEBISU. "What, was a full fridge of beer part of the lease agreement?"
"Nooo." Misato taunted. "I had it delivered the minute I signed the lease. "Tehehehehehe"
"Misato, ever hear of Alcoholic's Anonymous?" Asuka shot back.
"Asuka, ever hear of Bite Me!?" Her boss retaliated.
2016
Nine Months since Third Impact
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Misato and Asuka sat in Commander Fuyutsuki's office (which was once Commander Ikari's office but much better lit now) watching a tape of the UN committee's report on the new NERV charter. With the chairman still making his closing comments, Fuyutsuki turned off the monitor. The three of them sat silently for what felt like an eternity.
Unable to take the silence any longer Misato stated. "So the European and American branches will be dedicated to land reform and urban renewal. Interesting."
Asuka immediately jumped in. "Fancy titles for farmers and construction workers. What a waste of Eva technology."
Misato shot her assistant a look that said, 'Not in front of the Commander.'
While still staring at the monitor the commander responded. "Your absolutely correct."
Asuka gave Misato a, 'see, I told you so' stare.
"Evas were built to battle angels, not to perform menial labor."
"But the UN has yet to decide what we should be used for. The outcome isn't inevitable, is it commander?" His second in command asked.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." He turned and looked squarely at Misato. "I will be leaving for New York in the morning. I need to convince these bureaucrats that Unit 00 and Unit 01 are too valuable to be used for moving rubble and planting rice. You're in command until my return."
Misato stood up and saluted. "Yes sir, you can count on me."
"Good. Dismissed." Asuka got up and started following Misato out of the office when the commander spoke. "Miss Souryu, will you wait a moment."
"Yes sir." She turned to address her commanding officer.
As the door closed behind Misato, the commander continued. "How have your been getting along with your other roommates, since becoming Assistant Director of Operations?"
Asuka paused for a moment. 'What an odd question for him to ask.' "Fine sir, just fine."
He continued. "I know of your former hostilities toward Miss Ayanami. I hope that is still not an issue… for either of you."
'What the… ' "No sir. Miss Ayanami and I have… resolved our… differences."
"You are aware of her origins, are you not?"
'Where is he going with this?' "Yes… yes sir. I am."
"Rei is … very special to me." He turned and looked out the window of his office. "She always has been… The former commander feigned concern for her but in reality only saw her as a tool for his needs. Because of this Rei was discouraged from exploring and developing her feelings, her emotions. Anything that did not forward her purpose was a waste of her time. Or so Gendo thought. It pained me to see this bright, intelligent, beautiful child grow up emotionless and cold. But now her purpose is her own. She has the opportunity to experience life, to experience emotions. I know Shinji is aiding her in this endeavor but he has his own issues he still needs to deal with." He turned around to face Asuka once again. "I know of the heartache you've suffered as well. Kyoko was one of my dearest friends. The day of her accident I wept for her. The day she died… I wept for you."
Asuka's lips trembled and her vision became just a little bit blurry.
"You have all had a difficult time of it; far more difficult than any child should ever have to endure. But I ask of you… for her sake … for your sake, try and get to know Rei Ayanami. You may just be thankful someday that you did."
Asuka gave the slightest of nodes. "Is that all sir?"
"Yes Asuka, that is all."
The young redhead turned and walked out of her commander's office.
Three days later
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Asuka walked out of her study to find Rei finishing up her homework at the dinning-room table. Rei looked up and asked, "Will the Major be arriving soon?"
"Hmm? … No, I don't think so. With the commander in New York, she has twice her normal responsibilities until he returns." She stretched and let out a small yawn, then looked around and asked, "Where's Shinji?"
"He went to Suzuhara's house to watch something called, wrestlemania." The crimson-eyed girl replied.
Asuka took a whiff of the air. "And you let him go without making him fix dinner first? What were you thinking?" She yelled.
"I can prepare us a meal if you require." Rei stood and began putting her books away.
"No thanks. I prefer food with taste." Thinking what the commander told her three days ago she continued, "Hey Rei, let's go out to eat, my treat."
"That is not necessary. There is an ample supply of food here." Rei replied calmly.
Asuka's jaw dropped. "Are you serious? Wait, of course you're serious. Think who you're talking to Asuka." She sighed. "Okay Rei, just because you don't need to eat out doesn't mean you can't eat out."
Rei stared at Asuka totally devoid of expression.
"Okay, I know for a fact you used to go out to dinner with Commander Ikari. Don't tell me you only went out because you didn't have food at home?"
"No, I went because the commander instructed me to. He was my superior officer."
"Well, I'm your superior officer now aren't I?"
"Are you commanding me to accompany you to dinner Assistant Director?"
"No." Asuka breathed. "You know, just forget it. Forget I even mentioned it." She turned and headed for her room. "What was I thinking?" She grumbled to herself. "Trying to relate to that girl is like trying to relate to a block of wood." She slammed the door behind her. "'Get to know her' … right. I know all I need to know. 'Thankful someday' … yeah right… thankful my ass."
Rei couldn't make out everything Asuka was saying but she could tell it was about her. And it wasn't nice. She lowered her head and grabbed her book bag as she started walking to her room. Suddenly, Asuka's door flew open and the fiery redhead rushed out and headed for Rei. The normally subdued girl hardly had a chance to gasp as the redhead grabbed her wrist and dragged her towards the door. The suddenness of the action and the force with which Asuka pulled her caused her to drop her bag.
"My bag."
"Forget it, you can pick it up later."
"Where are we going?"
"Out to eat! I'm hungry!"
She pulled her captive out the door and slammed it shut.
Sitting at a table for two, Asuka asked. "Have you ever eaten at an Italian restaurant before?"
"No."
"Well, I'm sure this won't be nearly as good as the food I got to eat during my week in Milan but I hear it's as good an Italian restaurant as you're going to find in Japan."
Silence hung in the air for several minutes.
"You have been to Italy?" Rei inquired with a hint of genuine curiosity.
"Yeah, I got to go as part of a field trip in college."
Rei nodded and was silent once again.
"That is quite an accomplishment, graduating college before your fourteenth birthday."
"Yeah… well, I was highly motivated… then." Asuka scanned the room as if she were looking for someone.
"Are you uncomfortable talking about yourself?" Rei queried.
This brought the redhead's attention back to her dinning partner. "No, not normally." She gave a half grin.
"Are you uncomfortable talking about yourself with me?" Rei followed up.
'Damn straight.' Asuka looked Rei squarely in the eye, raising an inquiring brow. "Let's talk about you for a minute. I've seen your records. You scored a 185 on your IQ exam, impressive, very impressive. Why didn't you go straight to college? Why waste your time at junior high?"
Rei thought how to answer her enquiry for a moment then proceeded. "Because former Commander Ikari did not feel it was necessary. All I was required to learn was taught to me at NERV headquarters."
"So why did you even bother attending school at all?"
"For appearance purposes."
"Wouldn't you like to go to college? I mean with your IQ…"
"College would not be a challenge for me. I could have scored much higher on my IQ test but I was instructed not to."
"Much higher! So you really are a genius aren't you Wondergirl."
"Please do not call me that." Rei stated flatly without sign of anger or frustration.
"Oh… s…sorry." Asuka diverted her eyes.
"So you only did what the commander told you? What he said would further your purpose?"
"Yes."
"Why? You were your own person. You could have done what ever you wanted to."
"I was created to fulfill a purpose. If I was incapable or unwilling to fulfill that purpose, I could easily have been replaced. Though I was myself, an individual, I had no value beyond my purpose."
"Man, that's harsh."
Silence hung in the air again.
Finally the food arrived.
"Well, Buono l'appetito." The redhead said in flawless Italian.
"Ringraziarlo."
Asuka smiled.
As the two teens walked home from the train station, Asuka asked. "So how was the vegetarian lasagna?"
"Quite… flavorful. I think I will need to learn how to prepare that particular dish."
"See, I told you it pays to eat out even if you don't need to."
"I concur with your reasoning… now."
They walked a ways in silence.
"So what about now? Do you see yourself having value, having a purpose to live?"
Rei thought for a moment then stated. "Shinji is my purpose. I have value because I am able to bring joy to Shinji's life."
Asuka mulled over what her companion just said, then replied. "Well, I guess he's one lucky guy to have someone who holds him in such high esteem."
They continued the rest of the way to the apartment in silence. Just as Asuka placed her key card in the lock to open the door, Rei said, "Thank you Asuka, for … for taking the time to spend with me. I … thank you."
"Hey, don't menti… " She reconsidered her response. "You're welcome, Rei. I had a good time. I hope you did too."
Rei searched her feelings then replied. "Yes, yes I did."
"Good." Asuka opened the door and they walked in.