Everlasting Coda
By ArchangelUK
A/N: In answer to previous questions, no I have not yet seen Death & Rebirth or End of Evangelion. I own the original TV series on video bar the very first tape containing episodes one and two which I have never seen. Though I am attempting to sort this out... Death & Rebirth appears in the UK as of September 30th.
I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. However... I do own a copy of Eva Unit 01 and Yui Ikari's "Guide to Table Manners and Eating Etiquette", covering S2 organs, engines and evil eeeevil Commanders.
Part 3: Roses are Blue and Violets Are Too
"Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
~ Matthew 11:28-30 ~
[Scenario Shifts]
In a dark part of NERV, in an even darker room Gendo Ikari sat patiently, elbows on table, head resting on his hands. There was a 'foomph' noise and a large black monolith appeared in front of him, the name SEELE was clearly visible above the very large number '01'. A sign written in the same red lettering saying 'Sound Only' resided below the digits, Ikari did not change his stance despite the arrival.
"What is it Ikari, it is not like you to call on us."
"It is not the committee that I call upon Chairman Keel but you."
"Really?" The monolith was replaced by Keel's appearance as the vision was added to the sound. "What is bothering you?"
"Nothing is bothering me Keel, I merely have a question."
"If you were not concerned with its answer you would have waited until he next time we summoned you." Ikari didn't waiver, "But as you insist what is this question?"
"Would the personal relationships of the Evangelion pilots in any way effect the schedule of SEELE?"
"Elaborate." The old man demanded.
"What if they were to become... involved."
"Involved?" Keel raised a greying eyebrow, which just appeared above his red and cream visor. "As in an actual relationship of love as opposed to relationships of a loving nature?"
"Correct." Keel looked Gendo up and down; the Commander of NERV had come to him and asked specifically if such a thing could interfere with the scenario. This was odd, Ikari was under suspicion already simply because it was thought he was taking too little interest in the scenario and the schedule.
"Why do you ask?"
"Irrelevant. Would it be an interference?"
"On the contrary Ikari, dependant upon which pilots are involved my answer may well differ." Gendo knew the old man was fishing for more details, but then again as he wasn't entirely sure himself he saw no reason to offer what he saw as the most likely outcome.
"Whichever."
"Very well. In all probability a relationship between First and Third would not be beneficial to the project, though that is not to say it would be a burden or delay it in any particular way. It would be merely more difficult to implement things the closer we get to the designated time when all the Angels have been destroyed. A relationship between Second and Third would be beneficial as it would distract both from that which is going on around them and will make them easier to... manipulate by playing one off against the other."
"However if either situation were to occur there is a possibility of further 'incidents' like the one that took place during the last battle."
"Indeed. Next time they and we may not be as lucky." Gendo did not look happy; his exterior betrayed that very well. "It is unlike you to be concerned with the schedules of SEELE."
"Your schedule is my schedule."
"As it should be." Ikari vanished from the SEELE holograph, and Keel frowned. "Were you listening in?" A new spotlight appeared revealing Ryoji Kaji with an equally intrigued expression.
"Yes I was."
"Find out what is going on over there, what Ikari was really wanting to know."
"You don't think that was the question he wanted answered?"
"Knowing him probably not. If there are some problems amongst the Evangelion pilots I want to know what, why and if it really could effect the schedule."
"This is all very well, but if I don't know what this schedule is about how am I to know if it will be effected?" Kaji pointed out, annoying Keel no end.
"It is not your concern." He barked, "Go and find out what's going on." And the holograph deactivated.
[For Her & For Them]
What's wrong with her? What's wrong with me? Curse that idiot Shinji for confusing me like this...
It didn't take long for her to catch up with Rei. "Hey First Child wait up!" Rei paused and turned around, waiting for Asuka to catch up with her.
"You are running."
"Well spotted wonder girl." Asuka puffed.
"Why?" Asked Rei softly,
"Because I wanted to catch up with you."
"Oh." Rei started to walk off again in the direction of the medical bay, Asuka walked alongside. "You need not have run, I would still have waited for you."
"That's nice to know. What are you doing?"
"I am searching for Ikari."
"Shinji? Me too." Rei looked at her and nodded in understanding.
"Major Katsuragi showed you a recording didn't she?"
"Yes." Asuka lowered her head for a moment; she was surprised to note Rei lowered hers too. "I really need to speak to him about it, he left this morning before we were awake and said he was coming here."
"It is a school day." Rei stated bluntly and stopped outside a door.
"Yes... You're not going to disappear again are you?"
"I am going the same destination as you, I most likely have similar questions for him as well." Rei looked up and for the first time directly at her. "I wish to know why he suffered for us."
"We're his friends." Asuka said on reflex, suddenly thinking of all the times she insulted him and yet he still saved her. Not that she really WANTED saving, the idiot.
"Yes, but I do not understand why he would risk the important chance of destroying an Angel to save me. I am... not important enough." Rei seemed to be more confused than Asuka was which was both comforting and unnerving at the same time. Her mind began to wander down this path for a few seconds what did she really think about Shinji? More to the point what did Rei really think about Shinji? It was rather a difficult subject to talk about, least of all with Rei herself and just why was she so concerned with what Rei was feeling?
"Shinji's that kind of guy I suppose." She mentally kicked herself knowing full well that Rei wouldn't understand what she was talking about.
"That... kind of guy?" Asuka should have bet money on it. She sighed and tried to think of a way of explaining, but all the time there was a little voice in the back of her head going - Ask her... Ask her...
"This will be hard for you to understand First Child. I think... he cares about, well, us. I'm not sure to what degree, but I do know that Misato is like a mother to him, like she is to me." Asuka's lip trembled, memories flooding back about her mother she took a deep breath and recomposed herself. "She is the only family he has."
"His father is Commander Ikari. You know this."
"Is he?" Asuka asked softly, "Is he really? How many times do you know of that Shinji has been betrayed by the Commander?" Rei pondered this for a long time, scanning her memory, counting the times after a long while she finally said -
"Several."
"How many precisely?" Asuka continued, it was unlike Rei not to give a precise answer not that Rei had been behaving much like Rei at all for the last couple of days. After two minutes it became clear to Asuka that Rei being closer to the Commander than she or indeed Shinji was (for whatever reason) knew more than perhaps she or the Commander's own son did about the NERV officer's conduct. Rei looked anxious so she let her off the hook. "Shinji doesn't have much, none of us do. Maybe Shinji thinks of us as his family too, I mean all we really have is each other." She paused, "Man, that sounds sad..." Asuka turned away from Rei for a second, realising that even now what she was saying probably only half Rei understood.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
"I now understand something I did not before." Rei looked out of the window in the direction of the swimming pool, various school children were laughing and playing in the water. The water reminded her of the small river she had visualised when listening to Shinji's song.
"Well that's more than I do." Asuka grumbled, "What?" Rei turned away from the window and resumed her walking only to stop a few metres further down the corridor.
"After yesterday when he saved us I was unsure as to what I was feeling. I was confused because although I know the consequences of Shinji's actions led to punishment I did not understand why I found myself willing to do the same for him."
"Oh. I see." Asuka blinked, noting the First was continually using Shinji's first name as opposed to his surname. She was going to finally give in to the voice when she realised where they were standing. "Why are we at the nurse's office?"
"One of our classmates saw the pilot of Unit One travel in this direction. I suspect it was to go here."
"You suspect?"
"Yes." Rei knocked twice and waited for the signal that she could enter; Asuka however did not wait for permission and opened the door herself. The two young girls poked their heads around it to find a nurse busy spraying something on someone's back.
[Occupational Hazards]
"Why did you not go to NERV medical then?"
"I really don't want to go to NERV right now, of course I'll have to after this but I don't want to. Besides the nurses there don't talk to you, or anyone they're just automatons." The figure on the bed gasped as the spray hit a tender spot.
"Oh I see. Bad day at the office huh?"
"An Angel would be considered a bad day in anyone's office Nurse Koushi."
"Depends upon what kind of angel it is honey."
"I suppose so. Did you, err, hear a knock?"
"No."
"Hmm, I'm hearing things."
"Does it hurt Shinji?"
"Yes, but not as much as it did thank you."
"Anytime honey."
Shinji got up gingerly, and it soon became obvious why; his back had three very large circular bruises around the middle. Asuka's eyes widened for as the boy turned around he revealed a matching set on his chest and stomach, the purple, black and yellow markings were in roughly the same position that the Angel's tentacles had pierced the body of Eva 01. That wasn't the only war wound Shinji had picked up from the battle yesterday it seemed, for when he dragged a hand through his hair he revealed a nasty gash above his right eyebrow. Shinji slowly put his school shirt back on and buttoned it up, Asuka didn't know why but it was at that moment she couldn't bring herself to speak to Shinji and she ducked out of the door again making a quick dash for the library doors.
The library was empty, devoid of even a librarian. Asuka closed the door behind her, not sure what it was she was thinking, not sure whether she was scared to talk to him or something else. Asuka was suddenly aware that she was not alone after all; someone was leaning against the door also.
"I... Was unable to speak to Shinji as well. I found the wounds... I found the... I..."
"Disturbing."
"Yes. Very." Rei was holding her hands in front of her again, but she was squeezing them so tightly the knuckles going white. She had a look on her face Asuka could only identify as guilt, not knowing why she put a hand on her shoulder. Rei looked up and gave a nervous smile, not knowing what to do.
"It's unlike you to get so emotional. You just don't."
"I feel guilty. It should not be Ikari's duty to protect us, he should not have to suffer for me."
"We all have a life to lead First Child, why are you so desperate to take any punishment the Angels give out? Why are you always so determined that you must take the most dangerous role."
"It matters less if I perish."
"No it doesn't." Asuka sighed, "Who'd have thought I'd be the one telling you all of this. God this is awkward."
"I apologise for your trouble."
"Okay, do not do that. Do not apologise okay, it'll just make me angry." Asuka half snarled, "Has he gone?"
"He has left school to report in to command." Rei said, looking out of the library window. "We should go and find him there."
"We'll go together okay?"
"Okay." Rei nodded and followed her out of the door. "You are being most pleasant to me, it's nice." She gave Asuka a small smile that the slightly taller girl reciprocated.
"Yes, well you're acting less like a doll so that's probably why." Asuka said slyly, a hint of her usual anti-Rei tone in her voice.
"I do not understand." Rei stated confused, but Asuka dragged her by the hand out of the door and in the direction of the nearest NERV complex entry point.
[Giving The Devil His Due]
"Major Katsuragi."
"Commander Ikari, I do apologise for interrupting you from your work sir."
The Commander stretched his gloved hands behind his head, and peered over the rim of his glasses a cold stare that failed not to betray his annoyance despite the fact his voice appeared to.
"IF it is constructive Major I will not mind in the slightest. Work can wait at the moment anyway; will you join me for lunch? We can discuss your topic on the way." Misato looked surprised by the Commander's offer, but this was an excellent opportunity for her to gain some insight into his relationship or lack there of with Shinji.
"Err, yes sir. I'd like that." The Commander smiled and led the way to the lift, he already had her on the back foot and she didn't even know it. Whatever this was, the Human Instrumentality project took greater significance. The doors opened silently and closed as soon as Misato entered, she cleared her throat not entirely comfortable in this situation.
"It is about the pilot of Unit One sir."
"What is it this time?"
"Well, I'm not entirely sure our actions yesterday were appropriate."
"Oh?" He gave her a glance most people would assume to be cold, not that the commander had a big range on emotions. He was interested that the major had the courage to come and tell him this directly. "Are you questioning the decisions of the higher command?"
"Yes... I mean no... I mean."
"You appear not to know what you mean major." Commander Ikari said dismissively, Misato growled. "I have decided that the pilot of Unit 01 be stripped of all NERV privileges, monetary etc and his clearance reduced to level 5 until further notice. Evangelion Unit 01 will be piloted by Rei in the event of another Angel attack."
"Baring in mind Shinji hates everything about piloting that alone will not deter him or prevent him from doing the same thing again."
"An example needs to be set, The Second Child will need to learn from the mistakes of the Third. This way we can avoid any repeat of the unnecessary damage caused to Unit 01."
"You're forgetting of course that had Shinji not interfered Eva Unit Zero would have received substantial damage beyond that which Shinji's EVA suffered." The Commander had to agree that Major Katsuragi had a point, but she didn't understand the importance of the Test Type in the overall scheme of things. "Besides you think Rei would not do the same thing for him?"
"She knows her place." He stated after a moments thought.
"Commander Ikari your favouritism and preference towards her are rather obvious if I may say, not only to myself and Shinji but to Asuka and Rei herself." Misato said. She had stopped by the Central Dogma Command Centre before hand to get some advice from Ritsuko about how to handle the Commander; fortunately Commander Fuyutski had been present and overheard later cornering Misato and giving her some more useful pointers. The main tip was never ever ever EVER back down to Ikari, not even for a second or you're finished, the second was that the local restaurant was hiring waitresses if Misato got fired. Commander Fuyutski had said though he would try to mitigate any damage Ikari might bring to Misato's career at NERV, which was mildly comforting. "Maybe you should ask Rei if you are so sure."
"I don't think I need you to tell me what I should and shouldn't do Katsuragi." Perhaps she should start practicing her serving technique...
"Shinji only acts the way he does because it is the way he sees the world. He has very few constants, very few friends, all he really has me, Rei and Asuka."
"Is that all?" It was said as a 'have you finished?' question but Misato took it as a 'is that all he has?'
"More or less. It's not as if he has any immediate family."
"We cannot change the past Major all we can do is control the future to mitigate that which shall become our present. As for my relationship with my son that is my business."
"As his LEGAL guardian I say that makes it very much my business."
"Major Katsuragi!"
"No, I'm not going to back down. Not this time." Misato was trembling inside but she did not show it to the seething Commander of NERV. "You cannot blame him, his behaviour is a by-product of your actions towards him."
"Are you blaming me for the incident?"
"I am merely pointing out that there are whys and wherefores as to how Shinji looks at life and you are a cause of many of them. One of these days you're going to have to accept that." The lift stopped and opened out onto the central bar of floor B: 26-4. The Commander stepped out of the lift, beginning a brisk walk to the nearby food area with Misato in hot pursuit. The bar section was closed off of course; employees were not allowed to drink during 'the red zone'. These were the hours that had held the majority of the Angel attacks so far, it was all very curious that the Angels seemed to turn up at roughly the same time. If they hadn't have been in such a rush of course and had they taken a moment to listen they may have been surprised to hear some music coming from behind the locked door...
[Think Synch]
"How do you suppose he got those wounds First Child?" Asuka and Rei had reached the NERV tube train station and were just boarding a surprisingly empty carriage. Rei did not meet her gaze, apparently recalling the terrible bruises on Shinji's chest and back. "After all it was his Eva that was impaled, why should he have similar marks?"
"We feel pain when our Eva is hurt." Rei said quietly, "The higher our synchronisation the more we become one with our Evangelion, that is what the nerve connection is. It is more than just bonds that enable us to move the Eva. Did you see Shinji's data stream on the recording?" Asuka shook her head; there had been very little telemetry data from Shinji's unit included in the chip. She remembered the time with the Angel that expelled acid and how she had protected the other two Evangelion from it while they prepared a counter-offensive. She couldn't remember being in so much pain; her back had felt as though the flesh had been stripped off of it. Maybe it was more than a big toy after all.
"No."
"When Shinji jumped in front of Unit 02 he had to move very rapidly." Rei explained, slipping back into her monotone voice. "His ratio kicked up to 98.974%"
"Mein Gott!" Asuka exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her seat. Rei looked out of the window apparently lost in thought, after a minute or so she spoke again.
"It is reasonable to suggest that the higher we sync with our Eva the more we will feel their pain or even share their injury."
"But the Eva's don't feel pain."
"Do you recall your battle within the volcano? You felt pain when Unit 02 lost it's leg, you felt it in your own leg didn't you?"
"Only a tingle, I know I didn't have a very high sync ratio that day but, but it's just a machine."
"It is a bio-machine, who knows if it does or if it doesn't." Rei shrugged, thus ending that topic of conversation just as the train stopped at the appropriate section. The two pilots exited with Rei seemingly leading them in a direction only she knew about down some rather labyrinthine passageways - not that NERV's interior design wasn't labyrinthine anyway.
"Err, where are we going wonder girl?"
"I believe I know where Ikari is."
"Oh." Asuka continued to follow blindly, doubting Rei's ability not to get lost in this building. "Rei, you've been acting rather differently lately."
"In what sense?" Rei threw a glance over her shoulder, Asuka shrugged.
"Well..." Ask her... Ask her... "You actually wore some other clothes yesterday." Coward...
"Major Katsuragi suggested it might help me to 'open up' more."
"She ordered you didn't she?"
"Yes."
"Fool." She muttered, "Well they... Well, suited you."
"They did?" Rei stopped dead in her tracks, turning around to fix Asuka with a look of pure amazement. "I did not know what would be appropriate for me to wear, I only guessed."
"Well they did, and you have opened up more. You haven't been acting like a windup doll, you've actually shown some emotion, and you point blank accused Misato of lying."
"I suppose it has." Rei resumed her walk, "We are talking. That is good."
"I wouldn't have thought so two days ago." Asuka admitted, "But yeah, it is."
"We are... friends?"
"I suppose we are."
"That is agreeable." Rei gave a small smile, "Can I ask one thing of you though?"
"What."
"Don't call me wonder girl." Rei's face
switched to a stony glance. "I hate it."
To Be Continued...
ArchangelUK 0:o)
