There's a new goal for this one. A series devoted entirely to training myself in the fandom. So, sit back, friends, relations, total strangers, enemies, and possibly even the Q, and experience the horror that is...Going Nowhere.
Also, thank god everyone is more observant than I am lately. How I missed that First/Third mixup is beyond me.
Going Nowhere: Destination #1
"Out."
Generally, the girl would speak in complete sentences. Even as a non-native speaker, improper grammar was just beneath her. As such, the boy had to question this statement, if one could call it that. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I wanna go out. I'm sick of eating dinner here every single night. I need some variety." She threw in a huff, just to make sure her point got across.
"Well...okay. So I'll just cook for Pen Pen and myself, then. Thanks for the heads-up." He went back to the contents of the pot currently bubbling on the stovetop.
She stared at him for a couple seconds in mock disbelief. "What, you're just gonna let a poor, defenseless, innocent young girl wander the streets at night? The amazing ThirdChild doesn't know any chivalry?"
She can't be serious, he thought. "I'm on a tight budget this week, Asuka. I can't really afford to go out. I'm sorry."
"Who the hell said anything about you eating? But, since you're clearly incabable of indulging yourself, I shall be gracious and pay for us both." She repressed the urge to flash a victory grin. The battle wasn't won yet.
"Somebody needs to feed Pen Pen, though." He nodded towards the penguin to emphasize. However, as Pen Pen was currently ruffling through a cabinet with one free flipper while holding a bag of chips in the other, it was rather self-defeating. "...I'll get the tupperware and pack all this up, then."
She had won. She let loose with the grin.
The two children made their way down the sidewalk towards the center of Tokyo-3. It's not even close to sunset, mused the boy.
Such a pushover. He didn't even look outside. She grinned again. Really, for a pilot with a kill score like his, he's incredibly dense. She fell back a bit to line up parallel with him. "So where are you taking me?"
"You're paying. I'm just following you."
"What, you're gonna make me choose AND pay?"
"I just don't want you to waste your money somewhere you don't like." And it was all your idea anyway.
"Please, I am a woman of culture. There is no culinary tradition that I wouldn't appreciate." She almost went back to point position, but then remembered something. "Except for what this boring country passes off as cuisine."
"Well, we can't get very far from Japanese food, Asuka. This is sorta Japan," he responded, topped with a nervous chuckle.
"You're right, I won't be able to go to any restaurant around here. They'd just ruin whatever country they're attempting to emulate."
"Sorry."
"Hmph. Your relentless logic has ruined my evening. You'd better be sorry." Back to point.
Another hour, and they were still walking.
"Um, Asuka? I thought you weren't going to eat anywhere. Why are we downtown?" Shinji found that they were indeed downtown, and surrounded by various diners, eateries, cafes, and restaurants.
"I'm still hungry. And I still don't want to eat at home. And I'm certainly not having leftovers."
"Well, I'm not choosing a place. It's your money after all."
"Gah, you idiot. Like I'd trust you anyway."
"A movie? I thought you were hungry."
"I am. I haven't had popcorn in ages, so that's where we're going." She approached the front doors of the theater and gave them a push. Then a tug. Then a push. Then a kick. Then a full-on shoulder check. None of which worked. "What the hell is up with this!" she demanded of the building.
"Well, looks like this theater isn't open on Sundays." At least, that's what the sign on the door said. How did she miss that?
"The hell? What kind of movieplex closes on the weekend? Idiots! This whole damn city is full of morons!" She turned around and stormed to the curb.
Shinji's stomach was growling. Really, he should've eaten hours ago, but thanks to his current company, it was getting very unclear as to when they'd be getting a meal. "Asuka, could we just stop by a noodle cart? It's been three hours, and still have a report to write."
"No! Like you said, MY money, MY choice! I'm not stopping until I find a decent goddamn dinner!"
I should just go home by myself. Still, he followed. Of course, if anything DID happen, it'd be my fault for leaving her alone. He chuckled at that. Who am I kidding? Like she'd need me for anything. He would've stayed lost in thought if he didn't almost plow through the currently motionless Second Child. "Um...Asuka?"
"You got your wallet on you?"
"Well...hold on." He ruffled through his pockets real quick. "Ah, yes I do. Why?"
"...I forgot to bring any money." Oddly, she sounded almost defeated.
Not that Shinji noticed. We...we wasted...all that...three hours...no food... Luckily the boy didn't have any twitching problems, or else they'd certainly have gone off by now.
"Well, your money, your call. There's a cart up ahead, if you want. Or we could just go home." She still sounded somewhat down, which her compatriot did notice this time.
"Asuka, you can still pick out a resta-"
She didn't even let him finish. "I don't need your help. I don't have my money, so it's not my call. We'll just go back home."
Shinji was confused. Honestly, not really a new state for the young man. Still, he wanted to makesome sense of this. "Help?" He stopped there, trying to think of where to go with this. An idea struck him. "You just made me waste my whole night. You're not getting out of this that easily. Where are we eating, Asuka?" On the inside, he felt a victory grin coming.
Slowly, she turned to him, back to her usual demeanor. "Oh, is that how it is, Shinji? Fine. I'm gonna make you suffer."
"...I hate Mexican food."
"Too bad. I'm not getting out of this, and neither are you, Shinji. Now eat your quesadillias. Your stomach growling is starting to piss me off."
He did as he was told, and she once again flashed her grin of superiority.
Then again, he also flashed his own.
We'll call it a draw.
