Standard Disclaimer
Well pool is closed now, such is time. Work is either stupid busy or stupid quiet...and it flips on a dime. Family seems to be doing alright so gotta keep pushing. Well hope you all have a good Halloween season
We Came To Help
Chapter – 2
Cleaning the supper dishes, Eris was drying them with a happily swishing tail, Shinji could feel Misato's gaze on him. The teasing regarding the Catian had been near relentless the last few days, and it was only going to get worse after he asked what he wanted to. But Shinji wanted to make Eris happy, didn't like her confined to the apartment or Nerv only, so he was stupidly walking into the den of the siren. Asuka was thankfully in the living room watching a post meal show, leaving the soon to be conversation semi-private.
"You know you could have those little cuties take care of the dishes. They take care of so many chores I almost feel bad, but they seem to enjoy it," Misato playfully rubbed the back of an Assist-aroids head. The affected machine appeared to blush and held up a sign saying 'Thanks Ma'am'. It was how Misato said it though that really struck a cord with Shinji, it was borderline accusatory, sing-song in its 'you're doing this to be next to her, aren't you?'
Misato was right of course, Shinji tried to lie to himself about not wanting to abuse the machines Eris planted. They were cute little things, talking via body language and their little signs, and they did really seem to enjoy doing the manual labor they did. Hell one of them even helped him with his homework the night before, writing out mathematical shortcuts that helped him understand better than the text book. So letting them do the dishes wouldn't have been a bad thing, but then Shinji wouldn't get to feel Eris's tail occasionally brush up against him. Strange though, he thought cats didn't wag their tails when happy, was she upset after all?
"I don't want to abuse them if I can help it, Misato-san. Nice to give them a break from time to time, right Eris-san?" Shinji hoped his voice didn't betray him. It did, it broke horribly as he handed one of the last dishes to Eris, their hands touching just a bit and they gazed into one another eyes. She was smiling again, that smile was evil…made Shinji want to do more things for her, it broke through his defenses. Not stupid, Shinji knew Eris wasn't going to stay long, either on Earth or the apartment. Only reason she was nice to him was the forced co-habitation, but he felt the budding sensation of crush. Third in his life now.
Her hips wiggling back and force, girl was energy and unintentional sexuality pouring out of the white t-shirt and skirt, Eris nodded. Chipper as always, "They don't need a break, but I want to help personally! You've done so much for me Shinji-san, the food alone has been great. And then you've been playing games with me and exposing me to your culture. You even played your instrument for me!" At times though Shinji did wish Eris wasn't so forthcoming with information, and knew what NOT to tell Misato.
Spitting out some of her Yebisu, Misato covered her mouth as she coughed a little. A droid jumped up on the table to pat her back supportively. "You played your instrument for her, did you now Shinji-kun? Real private performance, his instrument pretty big Eris-kun? And didn't you say you share qualities with our earth cats? Our cats tails only waggle like that when they're upset or stressed, yet you keep thumping into Shinji-kun here quite regularly," Misato was barely containing her laughter now, her whole body was wracked with spasms and her face was red.
"I-uh…well my tail is…it was big yes," it was Eris's turn now to be at the mercy of a teasing maestro. The double-entendre originated two nights ago while Asuka and Misato were at Nerv. Eris saw Shinji's cello and asked about it, Shinji wanting to please…maybe impress…the girl played a little for her. He wasn't very good, at least he thought he wasn't, but she claimed to enjoy it. Now Shinji hadn't wanted his other flatmates to learn of his little musical serenade. Grabbing her tail, Eris fidgeted and tried not to look at Shinji but failed, "My tail sometimes just has a mind of its own. Y-you're not o-ffended right Shinji-san?" But her tail now stood rod stiff straight down, unwilling to flinch.
Needing an out more than ever now, with both Eris and him in Misato's sites, Shinji shut off the water and quickly spun around. Oh no, Misato's grin was savage and the red cheeks meant she had a few more cans than she normally did. Either this would be easy or it would be impossible. "S-stop teasing her Misato-san. So I played my cello for her a little, supposed to expose her to earth culture right. ACTUAL culture and not those movies you keep sneaking her," the number of times Eris tried doing something from a movie she thought was 'earth custom' was getting ridiculous. Misato was a bad influence. Summing up his courage, "I need to hit the store for some groceries, c-can Eris-san come with me? Get her out of the apartment a little? See some real human interactions and not fiction."
"I don't know…Rits said to keep the whole alien thing under wraps until her ship is repaired. Then again she could just pretend to be a cosplayer or something. Not trying to run off to a love motel are you? Asuka and I could just leave for…how long do you girls mate for?" Misato knocked back the last of her current can and handed it to the waiting Assist-aroid. The little guys flocked around Misato, mostly as she made the most mess and then she gave out a great deal of affection to them.
Tail curling around her leg now, Eris's face blossomed crimson as she examined the draining water, "I-uh…well my first heat isn't for a l-little while. A-and my ship should be fixed in a few days, some how it lost a few percentage over the last few days. I would like to g-go outside, but if its two much trouble I could play a game with Asuka-san while you go." She yelped when Misato grabbed her hand and pulled her off towards Misato's room.
"You two have my blessing, just going to need to put some more cloths on her. She's almost bursting out of this t-shirt. Laying in the sun in the thing is one thing, but being outside…" Misato slurred a little as she propelled the resistant alien along. Calling out through the door, random gasps and mews of Eris poking out, "Just pretend to be an idol doing some cosplay if people ask about the ears and tail. Asuka you want to go with them, complete the illusion?"
Lounging on the couch, Asuka gave Shinji a very unreadably expression that was all over the emotional spectrum, "Like hell I'm going out with her right now!" After her initial yell, Asuka spoke just to Shinji, "Geeks are going to freak out over her, I don't want see your heart break either when she sees some bigger guy and just dumps you then and there. Or do you think it'll be something else? While here she only has you, outside the apartment…lots of other guys. More attractive, more skilled, more everything. Compare them to you, how you think she'll react? For all we know her species might go off pheromones and she bolts."
Having followed Misato and Eris to the living room, sagely not going into Misato's room for the fashion show, Shinji leaned against the couch and crumpled emotionally. Had he tried going in, Eris wouldn't have minded, girl had NO issues with casual nudity, had to remind her to button the shirt of his she so happened to keep using. Free spirit or maybe the Catian sensibility didn't mind nudity, then again Shinji thought he remembered Eris saying something about there being very few males of her species so possible the females didn't have much need for shame. "Just trying to get her outside more. Not fair to keep her locked up, she isn't a prisoner. And I know she won't be here long, you don't have to remind me," but Asuka liked to remind him, Shinji felt. Each day it seemed Asuka would say something to him regarding the limited time Eris would be around, remind Shinji not to get attached.
"She's bigger than I am, still having issues with that, but I think this looks good on her. What do you two think?" Misato presented Eris to the silent room. With Asuka's comment breaking Shinji's happy thoughts, he had lapsed into a conflict of emotions. Misato gave the two a confused look, begging one of them to talk, but Asuka just watched her show and didn't react to the new outfit Eris was in. Spinning Eris around, "Cut a hole for her tail, not like I was ever going to wear this thing again. White sundress isn't really my style anymore. And can we assume from your open mouth you like? Told you he was a sucker for classics. Now go show her a good time young man, and since she isn't in heat she shouldn't be able to get knocked-up so I guess that means you don't need protaction!"
Grasping her command bell, Eris tilted her head, "Wait so I should leave my bell behind then? Captain Kuune said to always have it when I'm in strange places, just in case." Innuendo just flew over Eris's head most of the time, leaving Shinji to stammer like an idiot and either explain it to her or suppress the growing frustration he had. But Eris was devastatingly beautiful in the dress, it showed off her shoulders, elegant neck, her bust was nearly tearing the fabric, and it swished about her legs leaving the mind to fill in the gaps.
"She's just drunk, don't mind what she says. Let's go," Shinji pleaded and gestured to the door. Eris complied and the two fled the apartment where Asuka and Misato started to bicker and argue as they left. Once the sunlight hit Eris, she hummed contently and Shinji's heart soared, "Sorry Misato-san likes to say confusing things when she drinks. She thinks it's funny or endearing, but mostly I think she just likes seeing people flustered." It felt like that to Shinji anyway, the number of times Misato said flirty or intentionally misleading comments likely would have him removed from her care if people knew.
Skipping ahead of Shinji, stretching her arms up wide, "She's really nice, she reminds me of Chaika from my ship. Some of the stuff she says I don't get either. But they mean well. Doesn't the breeze feel lovely! The veranda is nice, but a full breeze is just…" Eris closed her eyes as the wind lovingly caressed her face and blew her hair about. Shinji's heart skipped a beat, he was failing at squelching those feelings that were growing. Just like with Asuka and Rei, Eris was beyond him, a person to help as it was the closest they'd be is maybe friends…but Eris was just so kind, happy, open, and beautifully crafted.
Letting Eris talk about her ship, her friends, and her mission, Shinji was content to walk and listen. Eris had no trouble filling the air with comments and gushing about Earth as they walked. Thankfully Eris didn't talk technical stuff, either because she didn't know it or to spare Shinji's inability to understand. Other species she met, life on a space ship, the other main crew that she hoped to introduce Shinji too, and lastly the hope to make an embassy on earth she went over it all. Oh and she would point at things, ask Shinji what it meant or why people were doing it.
"What are those two doing?" Eris pointed suddenly very interested at a pair of teenagers. Leaning over just a bit, her tail pointed straight up into the air, she had a very expressive tail. Following her finger, Shinji found a couple holding hands, and tried to not notice how Eris's hips moved back and forth making the dress sway.
Very interested in his own hands now, Shinji had hoped a few things transcended species and Eris actually already knew it. "They're j-just holding hands. Couples do that or family. A p-parent will hold a child's hand so they don't run off, a c-couple holds hands to show af-affection. D-don't people do stuff like that on your planet…or ship?" Shinji saw Eris's hand and felt his own start to sweat. Something so simple and small, something he never did. Maybe he held his mother's hand at some point, but he didn't remember it.
"We do, but each culture is different and best to ask first before assuming anything. Melwin was very blunt on that. I got into trouble for waving on a planet and apparently it meant something dirty," Eris laughed not really upset at whatever she did bad. The pair did take a brief moment to look at the others hand, but neither had the courage to say anything so they just continued to walk.
Instead of going straight to the grocery store, Shinji gave Eris a grand tour of the shopping arcade he used. Not much to show, but Shinji wanted to just prolong this time alone with her. They didn't go into any shop, he offered but Eris preferred to window shop and enjoy the sun. Offering to take her into the arcade, much against his inner wants, to introduce her to more people, Eris just shook her head content to enjoy their time. "W-we haven't had much time just us so maybe next time," Eris snuggled up close to his side, her fingers brushed against his but that was it.
They got attention, many people did point at Eris, more than a few pictures were taken, but nobody approached them. A few older guys, well older than himself at least, Shinji noticed pointed at Eris and made hand gestures regarding her figure, but Shinji quickly lead Eris away from them. Not his best moment, but he was a guy with feelings he couldn't stop. But in his hurry, "What is this place Shinji-san?" Eris pointed at a fancy building.
"Oh this is…" Shinji realized he'd never been down this street before, hurrying away from the more attractive guys Shinji didn't really pay attention to where he was going. Taking a moment to observe where they were, Shinji saw a simple sign telling the hourly rates and realized where they were. Babbling a few moments, "T-this is a-uh…L-Love Hotel. S-sorry didn't mean to come this way, b-but it's the fastest way back to the grocery store."
Her tail went straight up tall again with a small bend at the top, "Y-you brought me here? D-did you want to go in? This is where c-couples go to m-mate right? I've n-no real experience with s-s-sex, Chaika teased me with a simulator once…but if you-you want…M-Misato said you humans are always in h-heat."
Waving his hands, breathing so fast his vision got dark, "No-no just accidental…" But on saying that he saw Eris actually look a bit hurt by the comment. In a momentary bout of hormonal insanity Shinji tried to correct, "Well I would, but I don't know you that well yet. Don't know if you like me like that and…you haven't had the opportunity to meet other people you'd like better. I'm-I'm babbling, sorry…I just wanted to give you a nice time…"
Eris took his hand in hers, he shut up immediately, "It has been a good time outside, Shinji-san. Let's g-go get that food and head back now." Both of them just squeezed equally sweaty hands, and went to the grocery story and got what they needed, Eris tried to talk a bit more, but even she was a little overcome with the confusion of emotions. After they got the food, they walked back, but not holding hands…but Shinji caught Eris looking at him in a way that…well he was a healthy male so his imagination gave him a rather red dream that night…maybe Eris as well as she was in his futon that next morning…in his unbuttoned white shirt.
X-X
Walking towards the commanders off, her steps echoing in the long empty corridors, Rei was irritated by a few things. The late night call to perform a secret mission, well that happened a bit but breaking her sleep was a minor thing. Rei enjoyed sleep. Having to touch that red lance was a very uniquely nauseating sensation, and stabbing that white angel caused a small similar pain in herself. Rei had more than enough pain in her life already. And now she had to talk to the commander with LCL dripping from her hair before making her way back home…maybe she could skip school tomorrow.
Since the mission into Terminal Dogma was executed by the commanders and Akagi, Rei saw nobody as she crossed the command bridge. Everybody got a free night off compliments of 'somebody is taking your shift'. Lucky jerks getting to sleep. Not bothering to knock on the door, they were expecting her anyway, Rei just let herself in. "Mission complete. Was there anything else?" a dumb question since they requested her presence, but she wasn't thinking to good.
"Ah, Ayanami-kun, excellent. Sorry for making you do this, but we don't have any other option. Can't have the other pilots learning about such things. They wouldn't understand," Kozo waved the girl closer. The older man did tend to be the peace keeper of the three ghouls when it came to things like this. Yawning, the older man did little to button up his outer uniform showing the night cloths underneath, "Akagi-kun, are you sure these readings are accurate? That is the highest yield we could use without threats of detection."
Akagi actually gave Rei a look of sympathy that the woman often lacked, though Rei noticed ever since the last angel the bitch was actually nice to her. The cause of that change in attitude, Rei did not care at all and was just glad for it. Drinking down from her mug, "That is what we got from those SEELE satellites. Our own are clearing through the EMP. Both confirm the same results. That ship took a mini-N2 and from what Eris-kun said only knocked its self-repair by maybe a day."
"Rei," Gendo was the only one of the three to ever refer to her by her first name, "our efforts to counter the alien threat are not proceeding well. What can you tell us about the creature?" Where Kozo and Ritsuko had rings under their eyes of sleeplessness, Gendo's glasses gave the illusion of aloofness. Leaning forward, blocking his mouth with his gloved hands, something about those hands troubled Rei.
The anomaly? Well Rei didn't know really if she disliked the peppy creature, but there was more negative feelings than positive. It was a break from the norm, just like these late night summons. Eris also stole some of the small amount of social interaction Rei hadn't known she had grown to anticipate and enjoy. Ever since she arrived, Ikari spent all his free time with this alien, and didn't offer Rei the little attempt at talking he used to. It wasn't much, but when all your human interaction is military orders, scorn, and the rare treat from the confusing boy…well you started to like that break from negative. Eris had taken that. "Outside of her empowered suit she is frail, her personality is what is considered energetic or bubbly. She annoys the Second," Rei kept her personal opinion out of her report.
Two of the three adults turned to Gendo and spoke softly, Rei couldn't make out what was said but did note that Akagi was the only one that sounded contrary to the others. In the past Rei observed that Ritsuko would always side with the Commander, but now she didn't. Interesting, maybe that shift in Ritsuko was the cause in the change in her attitude towards others. Rei just gave the adults their privacy, content to let her mind wander into a small doze.
"Enough, we have to try something while SEELE tries to get more tech from Jens to deal with the ship. But if we cannot stop the ship, we can stop the girl. Rei, you are to engage this Eris. Gauge her willingness to listen to our requests. Either to leave Earth without contacting her people, or to exterminate her if she is adamant in her current actions. With how Akagi claims she is integrated with the other pilots we cannot strike to quickly, use subtly. If possible try to get her technology away from her as well. Anything to prevent drawing in more aliens," Gendo's tone did not allow Rei to question.
Taking a few steps away from Gendo's desk, Ritsuko did not look convinced. Actually Ritsuko nearly laughed, but covered it before the older men noticed. "Sir, you are asking Ayanami-kun to befriend Eris or to kill her? That is a bit much isn't it? No offense Ayanami-kun, but you aren't well known for your social graces," Ritsuko teased just a little, not in malice but just earnestness.
"I'll do my best. I can approach Ikari-kun as he has made attempts to befriend me in the past. It would allow me access to the alien," Rei just accepted the missions so she could go home to sleep. Akagi wasn't wrong, Rei knew she wasn't a social butterfly. But Shinji HAD tried talking to her from time to time, even made her that vegetarian lunch when they first met with Eris. Seeing the reluctance in Kozo and Akagi's mystified expression, "If you need nothing else, may I be excused to go prepare for this new order?" Sleep first, befriending Shinji…Eris later.
Dismissing the girl before the other two could counter, Gendo waved her off, "Go, keep us posted on your progress. We can continue to try and destabilize the ship while Rei infiltrates the group. If both missions fail, having Rei close to this Eris might still allow us an in to stop the alien threat." The adults fell into bickering and anger, Rei didn't care, they did that all the time. If the rest of Nerv knew that the two commanders and their secret scientist were petulant children themselves they'd lose faith in them. Rei owed them her life, so she would support them as she had nothing else.
Thankful for Section-Two for their silent work in taking her home, a small abuse of power Rei rarely used, she got home just after one in the morning. She was hungry, but more fatigued than anything, so she fell onto her bed in her school uniform. Rei was vaguely aware of the dust plumb that erupted when she fell, the dull sounds of machinery was the lullaby that she fell asleep to. It felt like the moment her eyes closed she heard her alarm blaring at her. Morning already? How? She literally just…time was an annoying monster.
If she didn't have a time gated mission, and no real idea of how to do it, Rei forced herself off of that magical inch and a half of mattress. "I bathed last night," Rei checked that morning chore off already. Sniffing her hand, it didn't smell bad, she deemed herself fine. With an aching body, she went about making 'breakfast'. Some bread with peanut butter and lettuce on it. It filled the nutritional obligations, even if it didn't fill her stomach. Adding the plate to the stack waiting for the weekly wash, Rei shambled off towards her new objective.
"I am to get close to the alien, learn her objective, convince her to leave, or kill her," Rei muttered as she stepped into the early morning sun. Having never killed a person, Rei was hoping it didn't come to that, as she doubted her ability to do so. Having spent negative time socializing of her free will, Rei was going with a solid plan-B, let Ikari take care of it. He had tried talking to her in the past, was living with the alien now, and observing the pair on the rare meetings at Nerv was clear the pair interacted with one another. Plus if Rei put ANY stock in what the Second said the pair were sexually engaged…wait…would Rei need to engage in such acts with those two then? Whatever, mission first, she had taken the necessary learnings in school to know the act. How hard could seduction be?
Standing by the school gate, leaning against the wall, Rei watch the trickle of early morning students flow through. A few looked at her, but nobody tried to talk to her either from rumor or urges from their acquaintances. No mind to the young Ayanami, she was waiting for the mop of ruffled brown hair, somber blue eyes, bag with food in it…delicious and diverse food options. He'd appear soon, see her standing there, and offer her something to eat and carry her to the doctors office and she'd sleep until…
"Ayanami-san are you alright?" Shinji asked standing far closer than anybody else got when given the option. Not far behind him was an annoyed looking Soryu, so the standard Soryu that Rei knew.
Having fallen into a light doze, Rei quickly stepped away from the supple wall with all its enticing sleep, "I did not sleep…" her stomach took that moment to scream loudly at the sight of the food provider, "or eat well today. I am fine."
Reaching into his satchel, Shinji pulled out a banana and handed it out, "Not much, but you can have this if you want. Been making bigger breakfasts for…our guest. So I don't…" Asuka smacked him on the back of the head with her own satchel, "Sorry! You know how she gets. And if you're tired you should head to the nurses office." With a wave, and then rubbing the spot where Asuka hit him, the pair rejoined the now flood of students.
So she had fallen into a semi-doze again yet dreams became reality. "I have never had one of these," Rei held the fruit in her fist. She had seen others eat them, knew how to peel it, so mangled it in her best attempt to replicate the process. Gooey fruit matter squeezed through her fingers, but Rei ate it anyway. A few of the male students collided as she ate, males were strange. A unique flavor, and it did wonders in ceasing the beast that was inside her stomach. Stopping at the water facet to clean her hand and wash down the meal, Rei felt she was doing great in her new mission already!
When she got to the classroom, Shinji's two male friends were already by him, so she just sat and listened. Intel gathering came at random times, especially when targets didn't know/care if they were being spied on.
"Dude have you seen the videos of the cosplayer out in that old shopping district you use? Girl has a figure that is insane and I swear the costume looks real! The way the girl's tail moves…no idea how she got it to do it!" the bespeckled boy had his computer out and was pulling up a video. While Ikari didn't really watch it, Rei saw the taller boy eying the video intently.
Slapping Shinji's back, Touji whooped, "Man you ever see that girl when you go out? Think she gotta scope out the place right? Is she with somebody, the video is super cropped on her…that tail really does move realistically. And is she bigger than, hey!" Touji yelped as Shinji shut the laptop and pushed it back towards Kensuke.
"Class is about to start, and you'll get in trouble if you have that running when Hokari-san sees what you're playing," Shinji covered his brisk actions as trying to protect his friends for disciplinary action. Rei knew better, well speculated the reality of it. Ikari was the primary caregiver at the domicile he lived at, and he was close with Rei's new target. If the girl was outside, it was most likely with Ikari. So any video of the girl would show him. The other boys didn't know of the alien so Ikari didn't tell them…so he ended the video less it be shown he was with her and they ask questions.
How to get closer though, what did kids do to get close to one another? Rei saw it all around her, but never considered herself doing any of the typical teenager things. All Rei could think about however was food, and her boxed lunch that waited for her. Tasteless, mostly rice, and a few vegetables. It was what she knew how to make, and she could make it in mass for the week. Food, food, food, fatigued, food…
"Want to eat on the roof or the quad today? We go fast enough we can secure it before other people do," the taller boy stated. It was lunch time? She'd dozed off again, stupid night mission.
Gathering his laptop, the bespeckled boy was sliding things into his satchel speedily, "I say roof. Shin-man you go secure it while we go get our lunches. Nobody will try to kick you out." The 'friends' nodded and ran off leaving Shinji to listen to the request or vanish into the ether. The boys knew Shinji's psychological conditioning and manipulated him, Rei could appreciate the use of knowledge. But Ikari provided food and was nice to her, so Rei was going to step into the mix.
"Yeah just leave it to me, next time an older kid tries to kick me out I'll direct them your, oh hey Ayanami-san, anything I can do for you?" Shinji aborted his accurate complaining when she approached. Pulling his lunch out of his satchel, he paused and examined Rei's face with a scrutiny that made her a little embarrassed, "Still tired?"
Yes she was, but there was no rest for the weary. "I am more hungry than tired, you were going to the roof was it?" Rei asked and asserted herself into the mix. He'd not deny it, he wouldn't ask her not to accompany, and then she can continue to work into his good graces to eventually get closer to the alien.
A moment of hesitation was the only resistance the lad had before, "Would you like to join us? You tend to eat alone, but if you're feeling like company you're welcome to join us."
With a nod, Rei followed behind as Shinji lead the way. He tried talking to her, asking how she was, what if anything she'd been doing with her spare time, and if she knew why she had slept poorly. Rei gave small answers, yawned, and he stopped bothering her. When they got to the roof, it was open, and vacant. Sitting on a bench, the pair watched the students below going about their lives. "I like it up here, the wind is nice. I get worried when I'm down with the others. Keep thinking someday I'll mess up and they won't be here. You get that feeling?" Shinji asked after a few minutes of silence.
"The breeze is nice," Rei admitted, but she didn't say anything else. Next she knew she heard laughing and Shinji demanding the boy with glasses to 'delete that!'. She sat up, whipped the drool from her mouth, and saw she had actually fallen asleep on Shinji's shoulder somehow! Dangerous, she trusted Ikari so much to actually sleep on him, and he just let her. It felt…nice. They ate quickly after that, Shinji offering her the non-meat options he had while his friends teased him. Oh and they set up a meeting at the Katsuragi apartment for a few days. Rei would show up for that meeting.
X-X
Making their way towards the day's relaxation zone, Kensuke once again considered an elastic band for his glasses. He was already teased about having glasses why not go full geek to avoid the annoyance of constantly having to push the sliding things back up! Or maybe have them resized so the pads fit his nose more, something needed to be done. It was a little after lunch, best not to try for two meals at the old Ikari place, but the day was still young!
"You think Shin-man is acting differently lately?" Touji asked after they ran across a crosswalk that was nearly turning. In shorts and a black t-shirt with a band that Kensuke didn't know, Touji was in full day-off mode. How Touji could run after eating three whole entrees was beside Kensuke, and how Touji wasn't a land-monster of enormous girth was just unfair genetics.
Not the athlete, and his own meal sat like a lead zeppelin, Kensuke had to grab onto a light post to catch his breath. Touji just had to wait with a cheeky grin, go ahead lap it up while you can, Kensuke would show up his buddy in games or in actual classwork. After his lungs stopped blaring warnings of imminent death, "Y-yeah. I was worried he'd be upset with us for missing the camping trip. But he's been a bit happier, even talking to Ayanami a bit out of nowhere. What you thinking?"
"What camping trip?" Touji tilted his head and Kensuke swore he heard the chestnuts bouncing inside. Once Kensuke's body was oiled up with lactic acid and ready to move, they continued onwards. Touji didn't anticipate the laptop bag smacking into his back and nearly fell over. Rubbing at his injury, and making a nice spectacle, "What was that for? Dude use your words and don't hit me…what!?" Touji just had to yell at the people watching him, punishment for teasing complete.
Kensuke did wonder how long thoughts stayed in Touji's brain that weren't clad in a bikini or at least focused on that part of the female body. Fixing his glasses, again, he sighed, "Did you forget that the day after the last angel we were supposed to be camping with him? He even said he had to do a lot of extra work around his apartment to get permission? I was stuck at my grandma's, she wouldn't let me back until Dad said I could come. Did you make it back?" For a moment Kensuke suddenly wondered if he was the only one to miss. They didn't talk about the failed camping trip, Kensuke thought it was due to propping it up as such a big event and then failing to meet.
"Oh man we did agree to that, I totally forgot! Was I supposed to bring the food? You don't think he went do you?" Touji's worry was almost comical. Despite what girls thought of him, Kensuke knew, Touji was far more sensitive than he let on.
Opening the outer door to the conjoined apartment, Kensuke pulled out his camera and started the power-up process. The stairwell made his voice echo, "No, he had the food. And this is Shin-man, you know he went. But he hasn't said anything, and he's happier as you pointed out. What you think happened?" Kensuke could set a watch to Shinji's actions, kid never tried to miss a commitment or fail any promise to a fault. It made it easy to fall into bad habits of relying on Shinji for anything important, as Touji…
"Hell man, think we should get a gift or something for forgiveness, you got any porn on you? I've a new mag but…" Touji was not as reliable. Even now he had a private magazine he wanted to keep until after he read it before handing it over. Touji was first in his own life and others came second, same went for Kensuke, but both of them knew Shinji was different.
Eying the stairwell with hatred, Kensuke once again saw his old nemesis gravity. Only a few flights to climb, he grit his teeth and started, "I've nothing, you know I go digital. You want to give him something, you already have it. Anyway what do you think is making him happier thought? Walk in on Katsuragi-san or Soryu, or maybe things are going well with Ayanami?" More like Touji than he'd admit, geeks had to hid their flaws if they wanted any attention, Kensuke's thoughts of improved moods did tend to go towards the feminine appreciation.
Opening the door to Shinji's floor, Touji didn't appear winded at all, "Knowing him it could just be a good sale at the grocery store. Don't take much to make him happy, well when he isn't in one of those moods." They both exchanged a silent promise not to talk about those 'dark moods' their buddy got. They saw him have that breakdown when he nearly left town, when their buddy went dark it was outside of their teenage skill to deal with. Kensuke didn't know about Touji, but he hated how weak seeing those rarely exposed events made him feel. Kensuke wanted to be there for his buddy, but he wasn't a shrink. As they neared the door, "Do you hear…music?"
"Pop music yeah, hope Red isn't having a girls day or something, hate to show up to drag him away," Touji made himself clear. Asuka was Touji's bane, he detested girls with that type of 'you are trash and beneath me' attitude. Kensuke, well he really liked the idea of a girl ordering him around! Knocking on the door, no time like the present to learn what the future day's plans were, "Hey Shin-man we came over! You having a karaoke session or something?" It was loud enough to be heard faintly through the door, so it was possible.
When the door opened, Kensuke was glad he had his camera trained on the door as it was an amazing sight. Standing on one leg, leaning against the door was likely the reason Shinji was more upbeat, an older girl that was more than a few leagues ahead of the normal at school. Touji nearly fell backward as he backstepped, Kensuke put his free hand to his buddy's back to stabilize him. "Oh so you're Shinji-san's friends? Come in, we've already started the party!" the girl waved them in and vanished deeper into the apartment.
"D-dude did you see that? Ears and a tail? The girl from the video! How long do you think she's been here?" Touji gushed out. He alternated pointing at open door and at Kensuke's camera. After blinking comically a few times his finger slowly pointed beyond Kensuke's shoulder, "Dude."
Not fully versed on Touji's use of 'dude' for nearly every word somedays, Kensuke just followed the gesture with his camera. "Think she's Katsuragi-san's cousin or something? And what is it…hello Ayanami-san," Kensuke couldn't believe it! Panning behind himself he found Ayanami just standing behind him, hair disheveled and school uniform messed up, "Not a Nerv problem is there?" No sirens, the cat eared internet sensation welcomed them…maybe he got hit by a car or something and this was a dream.
"There is not," Rei said simply and oozed past the two frozen teenage boys. Vanishing into the apartment, the music came to an abrupt stop and they both heard Shinji asking the same question. So Ayanami came without warning or known cause?
With that new tidbit of data, both Touji and Kensuke scrambled into the apartment to hear the exchange. Touji thought Ayanami had a thing for Shinji, Kensuke thought the girl was just awkward and liked clung to like. Kicking his shoes off, hand yanking the door shut, Kensuke nearly fell over Touji who did flop to the ground. Leaping over his fallen friend, no time to aid when drama was afoot, Kensuke got into the living room just in time for the majority of the exchange.
The living room was organized a little differently than normal, the couch and chairs pulled back leaving more space for the karaoke machine, video game console, and a table of snacks. It was a small party! "No of course you are welcome, Ayanami-san. I just didn't know you intended to come since you didn't say anything. H-have a seat, Hokari-san is due fairly soon, oh hey guys did you run into Ayanami-san?" Shinji clearly had no idea what was going on. Kensuke suspected Shinji hated being the center of attention, and oh boy was he now. The cat girl was at his side, Ayanami standing close, and if it wasn't a barely contained outburst from Asuka!
"So something you want to tell us Shin-man? We showed you that video and yet…" Touji tried acting cool. Smoothing his hair back, trying to 'oh-so-casually' approach Shinji's side that just so happened to be populated by the new girl. Kensuke got it all on camera, even the small twitch of confusion on the girl's face as she shifted to Shinji's other side.
Walking through the gap between Shinji and the girl, making them split more, Asuka grabbed some food and sat down. "She's an alien. And no idiot, not the 'illegal' kind, she's from space. Idiot here found her while camping, you remember that trip you bailed on him? Just think, if you hadn't been selfish…who knows who she'd have ended up with," that last part Kensuke knew was a jib at Shinji as Asuka said it directly at him.
Wait…alien? "Dude is this related to the whole scare about global satellites still being out of sorts?" Kensuke had been annoyed with the current state of orbital internet connections. And knowing that the cosplaying cat-girl was an actual cat-girl… "Are there m-more of them coming?"
"Ayanami if you're hungry take a plate and enjoy, you too guys, we'll go over it. Misato-san said we could since things will be made public soon," Shinji handed Ayanami a paper plate. The girl had been hovering over the table of goodies but hadn't made a move until Shinji allowed her. Now she was loading a plate higher than Touji would have. Holding his hands up in a warding gesture as his buddies advanced on him for info, "Guys I was going to tell you when I was allowed to. Yes I went camping that night, yes I found Eris's ship nearly buried. This little party is my apology for not telling you sooner. But how about we wait for Hokari-san before we go over all of it?"
Picking up the maracas again, Eris pranced about in what had to be Misato's clothing, "Do you two want to sing with us? This is really fun, plus Shinji made a bunch of food! Lets play!" Shinji handed over the microphone to Touji who stepped up to the task, couldn't sing with a damn but that wasn't the point. For the next twenty minutes they passed the mic around, save Shinji and Ayanami, and had a good time. They took a break after that first bout when Hikari did show up and Touji made a right fool of himself in throwing himself away from Eris. Good, even Kensuke could tell Shinji had a small thing for her and it was reciprocated. What came of human and alien…well Kensuke hoped it was sexy.
After Hikari was calmed down, learning aliens exist and lived with a friend of yours was a shock. Guess the girls were more worried since the shared gender, Kensuke didn't know why. Well after the calming took place, it was story time. The two vocal pilots along with Eris providing supporting evidence told the tale of Eris's journey to earth, her landing, time with Shinji, and events of the last week. Ayanami didn't say much, just correcting Asuka whenever girl went full hyperbole on an event.
"So Eris-san and Red are sharing a room during all of this, or did you lose your room Shin-man?" Touji's mind did just go to the bedroom. During the info dump, Touji did sit high and mighty from his position on the couch flanked by Hikari and Ayanami. Kensuke let himself stay on the chair, better angle to get how Eris and Shinji casually flirted with one another, they were novices according to Kensuke's wealth of movie knowledge, but it was blatant enough to piss Asuka off and get Ayanami's attention.
Before Shinji could swallow the food he was eating, likely to change the subject, Eris thrust her hand in the air as her tail pointed high, "No I sleep in Shinji-san's room with him. He's on the floor, but I keep telling him he doesn't have to. It isn't an issue at all to me."
Kensuke's plate of food fell to the ground and scattered everywhere, but for the life of him Kensuke lost bodily control. Opening his mouth wide, sound refusing to coming out for a few seconds, until finally, "You dog! No wonder you've been happier lately! You and this…Catian you said? Have been going at it? I mean I could tell you two liked each other, but to think you've been…you've…oh…shit." Kensuke misread the room and the events completely.
Shinji and Eris just looked at one another, faces a matching shade of purple, but unable to talk, Asuka was gobsmacked with a slack jaw and a thundering vein in her forehead, Hokari stammered out 'they're just kids', while Touji and Ayanami were oddly expressionless.
"Just sleeping you pig! Girl sleepwalks so doesn't matter where that idiot sleeps. Aliens must imprint on things or something, so keep your imagination to yourself…or don't have one and save me the worry of what you think of Shinji and me doing!" Asuka flung a paper plate perfectly at Kensuke's head, getting more food everywhere.
The room again fell into silence as six little red and white cat robot things entered the room with signs. Most were just greetings but a few asked the revelers to move a little so they could clean. If they needed MORE proof Eris was an alien, well it was literally bagging the trash now.
Poking her fingers together, Eris was trying her best to ignore the truth bomb in the room, "How about we play some more? Asuka has her game system for us, Misato has boardgames and the music machine, and from texts Misato gave me there are a lot of party games we can play!" The girl could roll with the emotional punches and was quick to get the room back in a jovial mood, even if the air was thick with Kensuke's little blurb.
Kensuke filmed as much as he could, Eris was the best singer followed very closely by Asuka. Ayanami was forced to sing one song under the promise it was a duet with Shinji…she read the words at least. Shinji had an unexpectly lyrical voice, while the rest of them were passable but made up for it with enthusiasm. They ate and played at Eris's insistence well into the evening until eventually a call from Hokari's father reminded all of them it was a school night. The little robots fixed the room and cleaned it before they all left. But what Kensuke noticed was that Ayanami was equally focused on Shinji and Eris, what reason…well he was a teenager and did have an imagination. Would do Shinji some good, might need a lot of energy drinks though.
X-X
Sitting in a posh café, Asuka tried to contain her joy but it leaked out in a smile. Her grin went from a soft simple thing that would get an admirer's heart aflutter to levels typically seen in dangerous levels that only mania can provide. The waitress, a college aged girl, didn't make many visits to the table as Asuka constantly reminded the girl that she was waiting for somebody and to come immediately when they arrived. This was Asuka's reward for not throwing some people off the balcony at the apartment. It was hard, the veranda was just what they deserved.
"Stupid Shinji, I swear if you don't have blue hair or cat ears he doesn't care," Asuka lost her happy thoughts. Her brow scrunched up in angry V's as she spun her straw in her glass making the ice tink and clatter as it reset. Four days since the little party where Asuka told Hikari about Earth's stake in the populated planet department, and they were…hard for Asuka. "I thought cats hated water," Asuka's mind went to not three hours ago when she walked in on Eris about to use the shower.
Asuka wanted to get cleaned up for the sudden, but very much expected eventually, meeting and had tried to take a quick bath. Well Eris had the same idea for an early afternoon bath and got in first. How could it NOT be flab though? Eris was perky and bouncy and…was it due to living in a gravity variant environment? Girl was way to big, way to pliant, and just not fair! And when Eris called Shinji's name when Asuka opened it, and not with a promise of pain in how she asked, well Asuka opted to leave as she was. Hence she'd been sitting in this café for far longer than was socially accepted for the two soda's she bought.
Hearing the bells over the door chime, Asuka's heart skipped a beat as she once again turned to see if it was finally time. It was! All her months of calls, flirting, and doting finally paid off! Kaji waved weakly at the waitress and pointed at Asuka who was waving wildly at him. Asuka knew she'd eventually wear Kaji down and he'd realize her worth over Akagi and Katsuragi! Oh how the others at the café looked on with envy as Kaji approached her table, they all watched him. How could they not? He was a real man! Tall, handsome, and mysterious! Of course he was here to meet the best gir…woman at the café! Asuka had made a point to pick the table in the far corner, furthest from the door to give optimal privacy.
After the walk of shame was over, Kaji sat down and gave Asuka a haggard lady killer smile, "Sorry for dragging you out so later in the afternoon. They serve supper here I hope, I'll pay." Scooting into the booth, Kaji winced as his knee connected with Asuka's, she had stretched out to maximize her enjoyment of the day.
"They do, place is really popular," Asuka felt pride in picking this place. All the girls in school talked about it constantly, a great date location. It was Asuka's turn to show off her ability to woo handsome guys! Age was only a number, and Kaji finally accepted that! Making idle small talk while they waited for the waitress to show up and take their orders, Asuka got smug satisfaction with the incredulous expression on the pudgy girl's face! Kaji spoke mostly of the annoyances of adult life, Asuka was very content to listen to him. Sipping her freshly topped drink, "So why did you need to see me so suddenly?" Oh Asuka had an idea, but best to let Kaji say it.
Totally not uncomfortable in a hangout for younger kids, max college aged, Kaji's discomfort had to be coming from the swell of emotions in him. "Asuka," he asked softly as he leaned over the table, "I need your help with this whole alien thing. I can't trust anybody but you with this." He eyed the others around them, eyes were on them from envious girls.
Not the declaration of adoration she was expecting, Asuka was confused yet excited all the same. Maybe she jumped the gun a little, it wasn't love but being needed was a close second! "What do you need me to do about her?" Asuka could smell his cigarette flavored breath. She didn't HATE it, it was an adult smell, but at the same time she tried not to gag a little. Who else but Eris could Kaji be referring to, assuming he didn't know of another alien that interacted with Asuka. Ayanami maybe, girl had visited twice since the party and had more an alien quality than Eris. Very softly, "Want me to knock her off the veranda?"
"Wha-no," Kaji stifled his laugh with a drink of his coffee. Setting his cup down, he slowly shook her head, "I need you to get close to her. Find out who is trying to steal her technology. I've heard that different groups are trying to steal or destroy it. I can't do it, Katsuragi would never allow me to get close. You know how odd she can get with Ikari-kun is involved. Just need you to get in close to her, see who is snooping around her. Report back to me about it." His voice was a near whisper, made Asuka tilt her head to hear best. His breathing tickled her ears and the burnt red with excitement.
The red thoughts of Misato's favoritism and past with Kaji warred with the warm fuzzies that went from her ears to her belly. "Ayanami is coming over more often, is that something?" was that why the freak was over more? Asuka spied…overheard Ayanami was asking for a little help learning to cook. Watching the trio interact around the kitchen it made sense, those cute little robots had a time cleaning up after the clumsy girl.
Actually appearing a little shocked or worried, Kaji covered his mouth with his large hand and hissed in as he took in breath. Nodding slowly he again spied the room, "Maybe. Some people in the UN think the Commanders might have a personal agenda. I don't know if you noticed, but they trust Ayanami-kun more than Ikari-kun and yourself. A few side projects they have her do for them. Maybe they're sending her in as a trojan horse. Katsuragi won't trust me without undeniable proof. But can I trust you to do this Asuka?" He actually touched her hand gently as he asked, Asuka nearly fainted.
"You can," Asuka was barely able to get the words out, thankfully it came out as playing coy and not overwhelmed. Secret agendas, plans within plans, and Kaji needed HER to help with it! Not the older hags, but her! This was the start of something grand, something that would truly change her life for the better! Drinking her soda to loosen her tongue, "How did you want me to contact you, tell you about what I find?" Visits to his place? Secret rendezvous at hotels like in the movies!?
Their food arrived to interrupt the flow of conversation, but Asuka did need to cool her head or she might have face planted right into it! Kaji secretly held his hand up, calling for Asuka to hold off on the 'work talk'. She covered for that by talking about random school talk. Kaji had a hamburger steak while Asuka had a grilled chicken sandwich. Had to maintain her weight to keep fitting perfectly into her Plugsuit, she didn't have some magic bell that made form fitting attire like SOME creatures.
Once the food was eaten, and the inane chatter reaching the bottom of the barrel, Kaji paid the bill. They walked out together, close but not THAT close to arouse suspicion. "For now, about that thing I asked you about. Texting is fine unless its something REALLY big. Then we can meet to talk about it in person. You're doing me a great favor here, Asuka. Can't trust anybody but you with this," he winked at her and shuffled off and stuffed a cigarette into his mouth.
On cloud nine, Asuka all but danced back home with the abundance of emotions swelling inside her. Kaji needed her, and she wasn't going to fail him! All she had to do was keep her eyes on the slutty alien and the who tried getting close to her? Well aside from every idiot boy that saw her when Shinji took his pet for a walk, there wasn't many. "I can play nice with that thing to help Kaji-san out, it'll be easy!" Asuka assured herself. Shinji and Eris tried interacting with her already so now she'd take them up on it rather than pushing them off.
She watched them, tried not to pay attention to them flirting, and now Asuka just had more of an excuse to keep Shinji from being stupid. Eris was an alien, going to be leaving the apartment as soon as her other freaky cat-eared buddies showed up. Once that happened Eris wouldn't care about a boring boy, so Asuka had to endear herself to the ditzy girl before then. "Easy to do, nothing to it!" Asuka reassured herself. In the span of a week she had the whole school at her feet, it shouldn't take much longer to get Eris. Plus anything she could do to annoy Ayanami was something Asuka wanted in on! Nobody snubbed Asuka, and Ayanami had tried to during the great 'I'll be your friend if ordered' event.
"I'm home! If you're playing hide the tentacle, clean up fast as I don't want to see Shinji like that," Asuka called out as she entered the apartment. Tossing her shoes over to the stack, she was glad to not see Ayanami's. Walking into the living room, she actually skidded to a halt, "I uh…should I leave?" Asuka had joked about the whole tentacle thing, but what she saw was only several steps removed.
The pair were on the floor, Eris on her back and Shinji using his arms to keep himself from pressing against her. The Assist-aroids were watching with embarrassed expressions and covering their eyes in some cases. Both were clothed thankfully, but Eris was in her favorite shirt that didn't button well and Shinji was an animated turnip as he enjoyed being.
"I uh…slipped, cleaned the floor…I uh-going to take a bath," Shinji rolled off Eris. His arm, Asuka saw, accidentally connected with those large mounds and the pair just lay there for a few seconds…Asuka noticed a sudden rise in the boy who then ran off. Assuming Shinji was smaller in all things male, Asuka was horrified to think of what a normal male would be like. After Shinji scampered off, hands totally not placed to hide his shame, the girls waited for the door to shut and the sounds of running water to start before addressing the elephant not in the room.
Sitting up, adjusting that shirt that was way to small for her, Eris's tail flipped about as her ears flattened against her head. Not pouting but totally pouting, "I thought you said you'd be gone until later. What brought you back sooner?" The helper robots wrote signs of 'hello' and 'Food in fridge' as Eris moved to the couch and turned the television on.
Typically Asuka would go to her room in times like this, but with her new mission she joined the girl by sitting on a side chair. Shrugging lightly, "Project meeting took less time than expected. I'll be doing more work for it than expected. Nothing major. What did I just interrupt though? I could leave if you wanted to…" Asuka flinched her head towards the bathroom. If she wanted to befriend Eris, Asuka had to learn more about this girl. Did Eris actually LIKE Shinji? A woman of Eris's quality shouldn't degrade herself for such a boring boy, but Asuka knew not to push. Was easier to keep Eris close.
"No…no…maybe," Eris's tail curled around her leg and the girl looked down. Flipping through the stations, Eris had a favoritism lately for a show about a meek little boy who summoned an impossibly large demon familiar…Asuka suspected if the show aired later they'd be fucking instead of just 'kissing'. Setting the remote down, Eris beamed a million watt stare at Asuka, "W-what is courtship like on this planet? Misato gives me a few films and magazines to help, but nothing goes that way with Shinji-san and me. Am I not attractive on earth? He does look at Rei-san when she's over…would she be willing to share?"
Whatever train of thought Asuka had, it had derailed and fell into a ravine with no bottom. As the survivors of that train screamed out for aid, Asuka tried to salvage part of it, "He's a shy goober. Guy like that you have to smack upside the head and drag into your room or he'd assume 'you don't mean it' or something. As for Wondergirl, those two have always been strange together. Nothing happened in the months before I showed up, even less since then. And…share?" Her love of science, and by that vein science-fiction, Asuka hoped Catians didn't eat after mating ala mantis.
Her ears perked up a little and that adorable smile started to form, "I think I read about shy guys. I told the others, maybe you didn't hear. But on my planet there are so few males that its rare for a male to be with anything less than three. Long-term relationships are frowned upon for males and females. Earth is…I love it here." Was Eris giving Asuka the eye, suddenly a lot of things were very different in Asuka's mind regarding the last few days.
"Wait so…if men and women being together is frowned upon. Does that mean that you…you know…" Asuka hoped Eris got the insinuation. What did a mostly female population do for companionship if long term relations between the sexes was frowned upon?
Settling on another odd show of a rich boy with a very suspicious maid, Eris set the remote down. "We use toys! Oh and VR simulations when our heats come. If its dangerous to go through them Durel-sensei has medication that can it early. I'm…excited…my first heat is coming soon. Do you think…" Eris's tail thumped loudly as it moved. Before Asuka could answer however, Pen-Pen acted and took a nip off at it and got a solid hit. The beak drew blood, and Eris quickly rushed out of the room to find her bell to get her healing tech.
Said bell was in the bathroom where it sat since her bath earlier. "Eris-san! What are you doing…you're bleeding!?" Shinji's voice called out in first fear then concern. Odd how he could shift from his boring little persona to being somebody reliable in cases of need. Asuka wondered how long it would take for them to notice he likely wasn't really dressed for the occasion. Nearly five minutes, that was how long it took for Eris to hurriedly rush out of the bathroom still in that degrading version of plugsuit…and Asuka already thought those things left little to the imagination. Shinji came out a few minutes later, didn't speak, just sat down with cheeks still faintly red. Whatever happened, well Asuka would find out as she continued her spy game. Nothing personal, but she'd do her best!
X-X
Hearing her bell tinkle, Eris's eyes fluttered a little and finally stayed open. She had zonked out again in the early afternoon sun that poured in from the south facing window. Pen-Pen was at her side and she did her best not to wake the bird, the tasty looking emergency food. Rolling backwards into a summersault she stood up without a sound. The apartment was empty right now, the others at school or work, so she had lazed about. Television was nice, but the simulations they had back on the ship were more engaging at times. Taking the bell into her shared room, the smell hit her and her body tingled with the confusion of positive hormones and emotion. "What is it Roelofs?" she was still a little sleepy.
The holographic Assist-aroid/Ai for her ship dove out of her bell and floated before her. Scanning the room as it liked to do, "Connection with mothership repaired, cause of secondary damage to the hull identified, and do I sniff pheromones on you?" Roelofs snickered as it flew in close poked a little fun.
"Oh! Can you tell them where I am? Can you contact anybody on the main ship?" Eris's tail went firm! Her friends would be showing up soon, she'd be able to introduced Shinji to them, maybe even get their blessing for starting an Embassy! Waving Roelofs away from her face, she took off the shirt she claimed as her own and donned her official uniform. It wouldn't be good to talk to the bridge in a lesser state of dress, she was a dutiful explorer. When Roelofs flew in closer again, Eris relented, "And you might be. Things between Shinji-san and myself are…earth customs are different than expected but things are going great!"
The AI flew further away from Eris and did a small flip in the air, the Catians were a supportive species. Pulling up several screens, "Connection to main ship is going to be slow, they are slightly out of range. Should be able to have audio only in about twenty minutes. Would you like to know more about the secondary damage sustained now or file a report to the capital ship?" Keeping close behind Eris, the pair left the shared room and back into the living room. The Assist-aroids were cleaning now that Eris was awake.
"It wasn't just a stray asteroid like your initial guess?" Eris's ear twitched in concern. Asteroid damage was rare, but it was better than the other possibilities. Pulling out the food Shinji had prepared for her, something called pasta, she found the instructions on how to reheat it. He was so kind! Making her fancy food, playing with her, going out of his way and comfort zone to take her places. And now that Misato and Asuka confirmed he was 'shy' she knew which of the manuals to follow to engage in human courtship! Putting the food in the oven and turning it in, "His friends were nice but…he is special." Having met more males now, Eris did prefer the 'shy' type as to aggressive was intimidating to her.
Outer images of Eris's ship suddenly filled the small kitchen. Most of them were banal, but a few showed scorch marks and a few dents that were being worked on. Highlighting the more troubling areas and some debris near the ship, "The damage was the result of a Dogsian weapon. It nearly hit, but the automated systems were online and intercepted prior to a direct impact. From the direction and size, it originated from Earth. This event and the suits that they were…Dogsians have infiltrated earth and are trying to interfere. I'll have a report ready in time for our communication."
Eris's ears flattened at learning that, no more speculation or possible 'found technology' scenario now. It wasn't impossible, uncommon yes, for a crashed ship to inject a lesser tech species with upgrades. Dogsians had a long history of losing ships as they tried to sneak their way across the galaxy. But an actually attempt to destroy her ship AND the lower versions of the body suits was to much to write off. "We'll have to start looking for them. Since that Nerv place is the only place we've seen with higher level technology it is likely where Dogsia is influencing. This is going to spoil my meal," Eris didn't let it get to her to much. True the issues on Earth just got worse, but no reason to dwell on things she couldn't deal with!
Reviewing the images and a few videos of the attack as she ate her lunch, Eris found the evidence more calming than worrisome. The weapon was small, stealth, and only one of them. It was a last-ditch effort to knock her ship out, BUT it was only a lone attempt. If Dogsia had more influence on the planet this attempt would have been larger and more blatant. The secrecy led Eris to fully believe Earth had no open knowledge of aliens. Most species were open and accepting of new races visiting their planet, well species that shared their basic design. Energy species did tend to take bipedal creatures as lesser, but they were the rare exception.
Handing the empty plate to her little helpers, Eris wondered if her roommates would like customized ones, Eris moved to the living room for the extra space. Anxiety and a growing sense of homesickness built as she waited for the connection to finalize. Once Roelofs confirmed that the audio was established, "Eris calling mother ship, come in mother ship. I am fine and on earth, ship received some damage due to space creature." Best to keep the missle a secret in case the Dogsians were listening, not tip off that they were exposed.
There was a few moments of pregnant static before a voice came through with digital static, "Eris! It is you! Signal confirmed, setting course back towards Earth. Captain Kuune is going to be ecstatic, she was getting very nervous. Its Melwin if you cannot tell, signal strength is weak. We saw a trail of wreckage out by the eight planet of this system and followed it…we're about a day out at safe traveling speed. Need us to exceed that and get you?"
Laughing a little, her heart warmed at the concern of the First-Officer, Eris's relaxed considerably. She loved it on earth, but she loved her ship-family! Knowing she'd see them again was such a massive relief. "I'm fine, take your time. I'm with a great host family, possibly a place for a temporary embassy! They've all been very good to me, the food is great! But I will say be careful, some sort of alien infestation is assaulting this planet. What hit my ship. I'll have Roelofs send the video and audio of the event. Tell the others 'hi' for me and that I can't wait to introduce you to the people I've met here!" Eris would have kept talking but signal strength was bad. Kuune was apt to take a threatened crew member super-serious so Eris had no idea how much fuel was being spent.
"Will do, but no promises that the Captain won't be back in under five hours! You know how she worries. We all were worried when your ship went silent. I'll have Durel review your data and hopefully have something for you by the time we get there. Stay safe and don't eat to much!" Melwin tried to be chipper but she was the worrier of the crew. After a few more pleasantries the connection was closed radiation interference cutting it a little short. But they knew where Eris was, they were coming, and they were going to likely have a solution to those angel things!
Now that her major concern was gone, Eris's mind allowed itself to think of something else. Human culture was very complex and different than what Eris was used to, and she was eying it with envy. Hand holding, walks at night, mating, and all that lovely romance stuff that came with it. Eris had a few crushes in her life, hard not to being surrounded by so many great people, but what she was feeling now was different. It was a little scary, intimidating, yet exhilarating as she interacted with this human male more and more. Things on Earth weren't perfect, but Eris loved this place!
"Anybody home, I got off early," Misato called out with a little slur in her voice. How long ago she got off work and where she stopped before getting him…well it was after lunch. Only stumbling a little, "Oh hey, Eris! You're in your suit and not Shin-chan's shirt? Something wrong?" Scooping up Pen-Pen from his sleep, Misato plopped down on the couch and put the bird on her belly and gave it a good rub.
Using her bell to shift out of her body suit and back into her 'casual cloths' which was the Sugoi Dekai shirt, Eris grabbed a few cans from the fridge and joined Misato on the couch. Cracking open a can of the alcohol, "Great news actually! I've contacted my ship and they're on their way back here. So my big concern has been cleared up. If they got out of range before my comms got up, who knows when they'd be back to check here. Captain Kuune goes all out in case of emergency."
"Excellent! Glad you've gotten that taken care of," Misato clinked her can with Eris's. They both started drinking and when Eris was about to stop Misato held the can up until both finished their cans. Letting out a whoop, Misato crushed the cans and was about to chuck them both, but opted to kindly hand them to the assistant near her. Opening another for each of them, "So what does that mean in the long run then? Going to do a bad here and tell you, Shin-chan is smitten with you. He tries to hide it, I think, but pretty sure he's got a crush on you. Maybe…maybe I'm just hoping."
Already feeling a bit warm from the shotgunning of that Yebisu, Eris wiggled into the couch for maximum comfort. Stretching out, "Well once they get here, they'll do a quick scan of me to insure nothing wrong happened or biological issues. Then they'll likely reach out to somebody in power to establish a formal embassy. Would you mind if we used your place as a temporary one? Once its established the formal trading of culture and ideas can begin…a lot more species will come after that!" Eying the can in her hand, Eris threw in with Misato and started to drink more.
"Pretty sure the unit next to ours is open, we can sneak over there and use both for awhile so sure. But that isn't what I'm talking about. What about you and my little butler? You going to leave once they show up, or…if you're making an embassy any chance you'll be around more? Between Ayanami, Asuka, and you…kid you're the type of positive he needs. Cold fish, stuck up bitch, or peppy cat girl…hope he has that fetish," Misato turned the DVD player on and nodded to some internal logic.
Having spent a little more time with Ayanami, Eris liked the girl. Reserved at first, Rei was opening up to her, at least Eris hoped. Girl approached her and they spoke about random things, girl was like some of the socially stunted shipmates, just need to treat them the same as others and give them time. Drinking more of the can, Eris had seen Rei eying Shinji with more than casual interest, maybe Rei had a prior claim on him but hadn't used it yet. "I like him, I like him a lot, more than his friends too. And if we do have an embassy we'll be here for a time, I'd love to stay for awhile. As for…how would I go about asking him?" Eris was proud of herself, but asking for a male to share first times with her? That was different.
Hitting play on the video, Misato gave a smile that was half sleepy and half Eris wasn't sure. Her eyes didn't blink in sync anymore, "Glad you asked. I had this ready just in…well I was going to watch it after you kids went to bed or if you went out to explore." Misato was far more earnest when drunk.
The movie played mostly to Eris, as Misato fell asleep only ten minutes into it. Where the movies and educational material Misato provided in the past was detailed, they never went as fall as this one did. Story was about a pair of siblings that started to couple, then a teacher joined in, very graphic. Eris was enraptured, thanks to hormones and drink, and was finally learning human mating practices in actual use! The male in the video was a little smaller than she accidentally spied on her potential mate when the lad didn't know he was being watched.
"Human mating is…intense, and they do such things with their…" Eris licked her lips and unconsciously used her arms to squeeze her chest. Maybe she should have used or at least viewed some of the simulations Chaika offered her. Was that normal to all species or just earth, she kinda wanted to do it. Maybe she should stop drinking booze and let her head clear. She normally didn't think this much about these type of things, but now that she was…she couldn't stop thinking about it. Just because she was going into heat didn't mean she HAD to go through with it, she could take the pills to dampen her hormones…maybe she should or she'd jump before she looked. Hearing the door open however, Eris turned off the DVD player and the television.
Calling out loudly, and with a hint of annoyance, "We're back and we have a guest…again," Asuka was not happy apparently. Last few days Asuka had warmed to Eris, actually talking to her away from Shinji and even playing games without being forced to. Humans were a good species, some just took longer to warm up to the idea of aliens. A trio of soft talkers could be hear approaching then, "Oh she's back already? Misato are you hammered already? Eris you too? No fair, if you're drinking I get to as well!" Asuka ran off to the kitchen.
"I'll get her a blanket or she'll catch a cold. Ayanami-san if you want you can wait in the living room or head into the kitchen now. Things alright Eris-san, you…drink a bit much?" Shinji asked as she took in the room.
Vaulting the couch, Eris's mind swayed about and gave her tunnel vision. Human logic…have to show shy males you like them or they think you're teasing or not earnest. Whelp, time to check that box. Swaying as she approached, "I've been contacted by my crewmates! They'll be here soon and we can open an embassy! And Shinji-shan…" Eris leaned in and grabbed the sides of his head by the ears lightly and pulled him in for a chaste kiss, "As per earth customs…want to officially say I really like you."
X-X
Notes
Well that is officially the setup and now we can get going with some divergent story line and silly light hearted fun. After the last story being a bit darker, wanting to have more comedy and fluff this time. Sure it'll have drama and espionage but that will spice the rest of it up.
Later
Mercaba