See earlier chapter for disclaimer
Remembering the Past
The escalator was as slow as ever inside NERV HQ, probably slower since they had rebuilt it. In the days following Third Impact life for most people had been the same. Only those with intimate knowledge like Commander Ikari or Misato could even remember the events that followed the EVA series' devouring of most of Unit Two. In the almost twenty years that followed, Tokyo-3 was rebuilt in the remains of where the Geofront once sat. Again there was a bustling metropolis where once desolation and death stood.
On the top level of the escalator Misato Katsuragi waited. Time had been kind to her, since fate had not been, she looked as beautiful as she had nearly twenty years ago, though her violet hair was now peppered with streaks of gray (or rather would have been if she didn't start dying her hair violet) and there were more than a few laugh lines on her face. She wore a black dress and heels, her old cross still around her neck. Today was an important day, one that called for the appropriate attire, there would be no levity from her today as she tried hard not to release her tears.
As the figure came within eyesight, Misato looked her over. Never ceasing to be amazed at how much like both of them the girl looked. Her fiery red hair with it's obvious brown highlights, had been cut to just below her shoulder length, but with the silver A-10 interfaces still in place it reached to just above her back. Her eyes were deep blue, so much so that one could almost mistake them for brown. She wasn't exceptionally tall for her age and to her secret dismay her body had not filled out quite like her mother's or her guardian's, but with her long legs and gentle walk she still turned more than her fair share of heads at class. She wore a purple t-shirt, that Misato thought was too a little tight and a pair of loose gray pants with white sneakers, in her hands were two dozen white lilies and a single red rose. There was no smile on her bright face today, for she knew of this days importance as well.
"Karen," Misato smiled at he charge, "are you sure that you want to go?"
"Yea," she sighed, smiling a little, "they are my parents you know."
"Of course," Misato smiled back, "I know that this will make them happy."
****************
****************
The Other City, that's what it had been called. For a long time the occupants of this city had far exceeded that of Tokyo-3. The rows of black monoliths had gone on for nearly three miles, a testament to the suffering brought about twenty years ago, where once was red earth was now green grass, proving that life can thrive anywhere. Their destination had not been that far in, it would be about ten minutes from the entrance. As they approached their intended destination Karen and Misato noticed two other people already at there.
They weren't strangers either. Karen knew both of these two well, both wore the black uniforms reserved for only the top members of NERV, one was a woman with a pair of glassed on her face who knelt between the graves, she had blue hair. The other was a man standing next to her, only this one had gray hair combed and brought into a short pony tail at his back, both had red eyes. These were the two most powerful people at NERV, her Aunt and NERV's Commander Rei Ikari with her Sub-Commander at her side, Kaworu Nagisa.
Karen only knew a little about Kaworu, that he had been close to her father, but his gentle nature and constant smile seemed to get on her as she found herself starting to get a crush on him. Aunt Rei, however was different. Karen understood fully the unique circumstances that revolved around her. Still regardless of what had happened, she loved her Aunt Rei and would always trust her.
"Aunt Rei," Karen spoke quietly, breaking the commander of NERV from her revelry, "why are you here?"
"The same reason you are," she said from behind her clear glasses, "to pay my respects to my brother and friend."
"It's good to see you again Miss Ikari," Kaworu smiled, "you are the very image of both of your parents." He said after her kissed her lightly on the cheek. Despite the somber moment Karen found herself blushing after that kiss.
"Indeed," Rei's voice seemed almost cold, "one need only look at you to remember them." She smiled softly at her niece and held her hands out to her. "Come dear, give your old Aunt a hug." Karen handed the flowers she held over to her guardian and complied.
"It's been a while Aunt Rei," she felt warm in that embrace.
"Yes it has," Rei said as she broke the embrace, "go on dear, do what you came here to do."
Karen took back the flowers. Kneeling in between the two graves she placed the lilies over the graves marked Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Ikari. The graves of her parents. She prayed silently over them for a while, then she took the single red rose and placed it over the grave next to Shinji's that of Gendo Ikari.
"How did it happen again?" Karen knew the answer, she had heard it more times in her life than she could remember. However she needed to confirm this, needed to hear it on this day.
"Once we recovered Unit One from space," Rei spoke, not bothering to hide her grief, "Shinji tried to synchronize with it, but somehow it was too much for him and his heart stopped, we tried everything we could, but we could not save him. I remember," she spoke almost idly, "that he kissed your mother's stomach while she was still carrying you and said 'I love both of you.'"
"Every one of us owes Shinji our lives," Kaworu spoke, knowing well that Karen did not begin to comprehend the level of gratitude that he felt. "If if he didn't care then none of us would be here."
"And my Mother?" Karen asked, completely absorbed in the voices that encompassed her.
"Killed by a sniper when you were still little," Misato had a hard time holding back her tears as she spoke, she could still remember talking to Asuka before it happened. "I had asked to be able to spend the day with you, no sooner than an hour after she had left you with me a member of some crazy religious group had taken her life thinking that it was her fault that mankind did not receive its salvation." The last word was spoken with nothing but acid. "I remember," she smiled, "she kissed you and told you not to be a pain and that she loved you." Quietly she sobbed remembering her two children.
"They say," Kaworu spoke again, "that when a love bird dies it's mate will not wait long before she follows him. A full year after Shinji died, Asuka followed." His smile was now somewhat bitter. "People aren't birds though."
She did not need to hear of her Grandfather's death, this was her parents day, a time that she reflected on them. "And their bodies lie here?" She asked as she patted the soft grass beneath her hand.
"Yes," Rei seemed to now stare beyond them, "this is no artifice, it was the least we could do."
Karen smiled sadly, "I think that is enough." She rose from her place between the graves, the wind picking up as she did. "Aunt Rei," she began hopefully, "do you want to come with us to get something to eat?"
"I can't," she said softly, "the Colonel and I have a meeting to attend to because of Unit One's reactivation. I heard you did quite well."
"Well," she blushed a little as the left the cemetery, "I had help."
"I'm sure," she still smiled, "Commander Nagisa will escort you home."
"Ahh..." she blushed even brighter, "is that so?"
"Come on," Kaworu prompted, "I'll let you drive." Soon the four were separated, Col. Katsuragi found herself snickering as they parted ways with Karen and Kaworu.
"He's going to regret that decision." The Col. said in low tones.
"Yes," the Commander smiled, understanding, "he most certainly is."
****************
****************
There were few things that scared Kaworu Nagisa, the second in command of NERV and once the Angel of Free Will Tabris. He could count on one hand the things that truly scared him. Today there was another fear added to that list, driving with Karen Ikari. He had heard stories of her, but never understood the shear terror that Karen's driving had instilled in Misato until he experienced it for himself. Even Commander Ikari had been skittish about letting Karen drive. There was one saving grace though, the look of joy on her face as she drove almost made it worth it. Almost.
Grateful was not the word. Reborn was more like it. The exhilarating rush Karen felt driving was nothing to the profound sense of gratitude Kaworu felt when it was over. Looking around the manmade canyons of Tokyo-3 Kaworu found what he thought for sure was their destination. The most expensive resturant in town the Moonglow Bistro. It was odd being human, he thought he actually heard his wallet groan in agony.
"Is that where you want to eat?"
"Huh?" she gave him a quizzical look as he motioned to the Moonglow Bistro. Karen wrinkled her nose at the thought. "No," she motioned to the small ramen stand on the other side of the street, "over there, best noodles in town."
"Oh," he almost heard the sigh of his wallet.
"Hey old man." Karen called out as she entered, hoping the cook was in.
"Oh," came an older voice from behind the table, "is that you Karen?"
"Who else would come to this dump?"
"Hey," the old timer made a semblance of being hurt by her words, "if you don't like it you can always go to that French place across the street."
"No thanks," she laughed, taking a seat at the bar next to Kaworu, "you know how much I like French food."
"Okay then what will it be?"
"I want a large beef ramen with garlic, peas and carrots."
"You sir?"
"A medium garlic and onion bowl."
"Right, coming right up." The old man said as he began work on the orders.
"You don't like meat," Karen blushed, looking away, "do you?"
"Not really." He smiled, causing her to blush more.
"Just like Aunt Rei." She whispered. "Mister Nagisa I-"
"Kaworu," he cut her off, "You've known me your whole life Karen, in that time how many times have I told you to call me Kaworu?"
"A lot, okay Kaworu sir," he wondered how long she was going to keep it up before she reverted to using her last name again, "could you tell me about my parents?"
"That was an unexpected question," he laughed a little, "you know though I only knew your father, right?"
"I just want to hear you talk about them," she lowered her head so that her bangs hid her eyes, "you've never talked about them, told me anything about them."
"That's true," he didn't want to look into her eyes then, "where to begin." As he thought the old man brought in their orders. "Ah thanks."
"Fastest noodles in town too," Karen joked from beneath her bangs, "hey old man, could you give us a minute?" The old codger grumbled something about lack of respect as he walked away giving them as wide a berth as he could.
"So what do you want to know?" Kaworu asked.
"Anything."
"When I met your father he was a bit down, but I knew about his gentle soul. He was a kind person who would sooner harm himself before harming anyone he loved."
"That's what Aunt Rei and Miss Misato both said."
"They're right though, you have your father's gentleness too. Every time I look into your eyes I see him looking back. I once thought that music was the greatest part of the human experience, after what he did for you and your mother I knew it was love."
"What did he do?"
"He willingly got back into the EVA," he thought back to the past, "do you know how many times he wished he had never got into the thing?" She shook her head. "He hated them, but he did it anyway. He told me once that any place could be Heaven as long as you loved and were loved."
"Thank you Mister Nagisa," Karen said as she began eating her ramen. "I think that is enough for tonight."
"Any time Karen." They spent the rest of the meal in silence. Karen weighed the gravity of Kaworu's words, Misato had never told her that her father did not want to pilot the EVA. She found herself wondering secretly of the EVA itself.
After they had finished eating Kaworu drove the Sixth Child home, insisting that he do the driving. The day had been full of sorrow for Karen, but otherwise a good day. She thought that any chance she got to know more about her parents was a good day. As Kaworu drove off from the front of the apartment complex that Karen and Misato lived in he said good night. Blushing a little when he offered to take her back to the ramen stand. Karen had indeed thought of this as a good day.
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
(exert taken from the Random House Japanese-English dictionary)
Japanese translation Note: Karen (na) adj. lovely or attractive (woman or flower)
A friend asked me why I used the name Karen over my initial choice of Ai. The reason is I liked this one better, it seemed fitting. Thanks for all the feedback, I've decided to see where this one takes me, so please expect more and longer chapters to come in the future.
So what did you think of this one, I'm just an email away if you want to tell me.
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com
Remembering the Past
The escalator was as slow as ever inside NERV HQ, probably slower since they had rebuilt it. In the days following Third Impact life for most people had been the same. Only those with intimate knowledge like Commander Ikari or Misato could even remember the events that followed the EVA series' devouring of most of Unit Two. In the almost twenty years that followed, Tokyo-3 was rebuilt in the remains of where the Geofront once sat. Again there was a bustling metropolis where once desolation and death stood.
On the top level of the escalator Misato Katsuragi waited. Time had been kind to her, since fate had not been, she looked as beautiful as she had nearly twenty years ago, though her violet hair was now peppered with streaks of gray (or rather would have been if she didn't start dying her hair violet) and there were more than a few laugh lines on her face. She wore a black dress and heels, her old cross still around her neck. Today was an important day, one that called for the appropriate attire, there would be no levity from her today as she tried hard not to release her tears.
As the figure came within eyesight, Misato looked her over. Never ceasing to be amazed at how much like both of them the girl looked. Her fiery red hair with it's obvious brown highlights, had been cut to just below her shoulder length, but with the silver A-10 interfaces still in place it reached to just above her back. Her eyes were deep blue, so much so that one could almost mistake them for brown. She wasn't exceptionally tall for her age and to her secret dismay her body had not filled out quite like her mother's or her guardian's, but with her long legs and gentle walk she still turned more than her fair share of heads at class. She wore a purple t-shirt, that Misato thought was too a little tight and a pair of loose gray pants with white sneakers, in her hands were two dozen white lilies and a single red rose. There was no smile on her bright face today, for she knew of this days importance as well.
"Karen," Misato smiled at he charge, "are you sure that you want to go?"
"Yea," she sighed, smiling a little, "they are my parents you know."
"Of course," Misato smiled back, "I know that this will make them happy."
****************
****************
The Other City, that's what it had been called. For a long time the occupants of this city had far exceeded that of Tokyo-3. The rows of black monoliths had gone on for nearly three miles, a testament to the suffering brought about twenty years ago, where once was red earth was now green grass, proving that life can thrive anywhere. Their destination had not been that far in, it would be about ten minutes from the entrance. As they approached their intended destination Karen and Misato noticed two other people already at there.
They weren't strangers either. Karen knew both of these two well, both wore the black uniforms reserved for only the top members of NERV, one was a woman with a pair of glassed on her face who knelt between the graves, she had blue hair. The other was a man standing next to her, only this one had gray hair combed and brought into a short pony tail at his back, both had red eyes. These were the two most powerful people at NERV, her Aunt and NERV's Commander Rei Ikari with her Sub-Commander at her side, Kaworu Nagisa.
Karen only knew a little about Kaworu, that he had been close to her father, but his gentle nature and constant smile seemed to get on her as she found herself starting to get a crush on him. Aunt Rei, however was different. Karen understood fully the unique circumstances that revolved around her. Still regardless of what had happened, she loved her Aunt Rei and would always trust her.
"Aunt Rei," Karen spoke quietly, breaking the commander of NERV from her revelry, "why are you here?"
"The same reason you are," she said from behind her clear glasses, "to pay my respects to my brother and friend."
"It's good to see you again Miss Ikari," Kaworu smiled, "you are the very image of both of your parents." He said after her kissed her lightly on the cheek. Despite the somber moment Karen found herself blushing after that kiss.
"Indeed," Rei's voice seemed almost cold, "one need only look at you to remember them." She smiled softly at her niece and held her hands out to her. "Come dear, give your old Aunt a hug." Karen handed the flowers she held over to her guardian and complied.
"It's been a while Aunt Rei," she felt warm in that embrace.
"Yes it has," Rei said as she broke the embrace, "go on dear, do what you came here to do."
Karen took back the flowers. Kneeling in between the two graves she placed the lilies over the graves marked Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Ikari. The graves of her parents. She prayed silently over them for a while, then she took the single red rose and placed it over the grave next to Shinji's that of Gendo Ikari.
"How did it happen again?" Karen knew the answer, she had heard it more times in her life than she could remember. However she needed to confirm this, needed to hear it on this day.
"Once we recovered Unit One from space," Rei spoke, not bothering to hide her grief, "Shinji tried to synchronize with it, but somehow it was too much for him and his heart stopped, we tried everything we could, but we could not save him. I remember," she spoke almost idly, "that he kissed your mother's stomach while she was still carrying you and said 'I love both of you.'"
"Every one of us owes Shinji our lives," Kaworu spoke, knowing well that Karen did not begin to comprehend the level of gratitude that he felt. "If if he didn't care then none of us would be here."
"And my Mother?" Karen asked, completely absorbed in the voices that encompassed her.
"Killed by a sniper when you were still little," Misato had a hard time holding back her tears as she spoke, she could still remember talking to Asuka before it happened. "I had asked to be able to spend the day with you, no sooner than an hour after she had left you with me a member of some crazy religious group had taken her life thinking that it was her fault that mankind did not receive its salvation." The last word was spoken with nothing but acid. "I remember," she smiled, "she kissed you and told you not to be a pain and that she loved you." Quietly she sobbed remembering her two children.
"They say," Kaworu spoke again, "that when a love bird dies it's mate will not wait long before she follows him. A full year after Shinji died, Asuka followed." His smile was now somewhat bitter. "People aren't birds though."
She did not need to hear of her Grandfather's death, this was her parents day, a time that she reflected on them. "And their bodies lie here?" She asked as she patted the soft grass beneath her hand.
"Yes," Rei seemed to now stare beyond them, "this is no artifice, it was the least we could do."
Karen smiled sadly, "I think that is enough." She rose from her place between the graves, the wind picking up as she did. "Aunt Rei," she began hopefully, "do you want to come with us to get something to eat?"
"I can't," she said softly, "the Colonel and I have a meeting to attend to because of Unit One's reactivation. I heard you did quite well."
"Well," she blushed a little as the left the cemetery, "I had help."
"I'm sure," she still smiled, "Commander Nagisa will escort you home."
"Ahh..." she blushed even brighter, "is that so?"
"Come on," Kaworu prompted, "I'll let you drive." Soon the four were separated, Col. Katsuragi found herself snickering as they parted ways with Karen and Kaworu.
"He's going to regret that decision." The Col. said in low tones.
"Yes," the Commander smiled, understanding, "he most certainly is."
****************
****************
There were few things that scared Kaworu Nagisa, the second in command of NERV and once the Angel of Free Will Tabris. He could count on one hand the things that truly scared him. Today there was another fear added to that list, driving with Karen Ikari. He had heard stories of her, but never understood the shear terror that Karen's driving had instilled in Misato until he experienced it for himself. Even Commander Ikari had been skittish about letting Karen drive. There was one saving grace though, the look of joy on her face as she drove almost made it worth it. Almost.
Grateful was not the word. Reborn was more like it. The exhilarating rush Karen felt driving was nothing to the profound sense of gratitude Kaworu felt when it was over. Looking around the manmade canyons of Tokyo-3 Kaworu found what he thought for sure was their destination. The most expensive resturant in town the Moonglow Bistro. It was odd being human, he thought he actually heard his wallet groan in agony.
"Is that where you want to eat?"
"Huh?" she gave him a quizzical look as he motioned to the Moonglow Bistro. Karen wrinkled her nose at the thought. "No," she motioned to the small ramen stand on the other side of the street, "over there, best noodles in town."
"Oh," he almost heard the sigh of his wallet.
"Hey old man." Karen called out as she entered, hoping the cook was in.
"Oh," came an older voice from behind the table, "is that you Karen?"
"Who else would come to this dump?"
"Hey," the old timer made a semblance of being hurt by her words, "if you don't like it you can always go to that French place across the street."
"No thanks," she laughed, taking a seat at the bar next to Kaworu, "you know how much I like French food."
"Okay then what will it be?"
"I want a large beef ramen with garlic, peas and carrots."
"You sir?"
"A medium garlic and onion bowl."
"Right, coming right up." The old man said as he began work on the orders.
"You don't like meat," Karen blushed, looking away, "do you?"
"Not really." He smiled, causing her to blush more.
"Just like Aunt Rei." She whispered. "Mister Nagisa I-"
"Kaworu," he cut her off, "You've known me your whole life Karen, in that time how many times have I told you to call me Kaworu?"
"A lot, okay Kaworu sir," he wondered how long she was going to keep it up before she reverted to using her last name again, "could you tell me about my parents?"
"That was an unexpected question," he laughed a little, "you know though I only knew your father, right?"
"I just want to hear you talk about them," she lowered her head so that her bangs hid her eyes, "you've never talked about them, told me anything about them."
"That's true," he didn't want to look into her eyes then, "where to begin." As he thought the old man brought in their orders. "Ah thanks."
"Fastest noodles in town too," Karen joked from beneath her bangs, "hey old man, could you give us a minute?" The old codger grumbled something about lack of respect as he walked away giving them as wide a berth as he could.
"So what do you want to know?" Kaworu asked.
"Anything."
"When I met your father he was a bit down, but I knew about his gentle soul. He was a kind person who would sooner harm himself before harming anyone he loved."
"That's what Aunt Rei and Miss Misato both said."
"They're right though, you have your father's gentleness too. Every time I look into your eyes I see him looking back. I once thought that music was the greatest part of the human experience, after what he did for you and your mother I knew it was love."
"What did he do?"
"He willingly got back into the EVA," he thought back to the past, "do you know how many times he wished he had never got into the thing?" She shook her head. "He hated them, but he did it anyway. He told me once that any place could be Heaven as long as you loved and were loved."
"Thank you Mister Nagisa," Karen said as she began eating her ramen. "I think that is enough for tonight."
"Any time Karen." They spent the rest of the meal in silence. Karen weighed the gravity of Kaworu's words, Misato had never told her that her father did not want to pilot the EVA. She found herself wondering secretly of the EVA itself.
After they had finished eating Kaworu drove the Sixth Child home, insisting that he do the driving. The day had been full of sorrow for Karen, but otherwise a good day. She thought that any chance she got to know more about her parents was a good day. As Kaworu drove off from the front of the apartment complex that Karen and Misato lived in he said good night. Blushing a little when he offered to take her back to the ramen stand. Karen had indeed thought of this as a good day.
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
(exert taken from the Random House Japanese-English dictionary)
Japanese translation Note: Karen (na) adj. lovely or attractive (woman or flower)
A friend asked me why I used the name Karen over my initial choice of Ai. The reason is I liked this one better, it seemed fitting. Thanks for all the feedback, I've decided to see where this one takes me, so please expect more and longer chapters to come in the future.
So what did you think of this one, I'm just an email away if you want to tell me.
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com