Standard Disclaimer
Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is fast approaching. Got my shopping done...then half the people I know asked for aid financially. Sucks but what can you do, work has gone a bit slow with the promise of a massive spike soon...why can't I win the lottery and just get to relax.
X-X
We Came To Help
Chapter – 4
Entering the apartment as quietly as she could, Misato really hoped to spy on her little butler. Ever since the trip to the Catian ship three days ago things had been…different between Eris and him. Well not different, just more open. That girl was open and pure with her feelings and Misato was 100% alright with it now. Shinji, oh her adorable little butler, was fighting against himself from letting things go to quick. Man, weren't men supposed to be beasts lead by their crotch? Or as that just the men Misato had known? No, Shinji's friends were horny little monkeys that nearly stole underwear from the apartment.
"Shinji-kun is just a good kid, or afraid of sex," Misato mused to herself. Well if he was afraid Eris would take care of that once that heat of hers got hot enough she just lifted the boy and carried him off. If all those TV shows Misato watched were accurate, she'd have to order red beans and rice or something. Snickering, "Nah, I'll give them a beer to cool off with. Always went down smoother for me." Sneaking further into the apartment, Misato didn't see Asuka's shoes but did see Shinji's so chances of flirting were high. Eris, when she wore shoes, kept them by the totally approved by the apartment new door to the Catian embassy.
Shinji's melodic voice wafted through the apartment full of apprehension and self-reproach, "A-are you sure about this? I-I mean d-didn't we do this on the ship?" Misato knew that tone in Shinji's voice, he was embarrassed, on the fence about something, but easy to push over. And did he just say 'did on the ship?' Did they actually cross the finish line already and they'd been coy about it? How this whole heat thing worked Misato didn't fully know, was slowly getting Kuune drunk enough to talk about it.
"You can trust me, Shinji-kun. I'm a scientist and this is for your good AND for the good of Human/Catian relationships. And on the ship you said that it wasn't just fiction for a man and women to engage in such acts. Since this seems to be hard for you, I'll again offer usage of my hands, mouth, or my breasts to…" the voice of Durel was clinical but Misato could tell there was a little emotion there. Having been friends with Ritsuko for so long, Misato was able to tell when 'smart people' were trying to mask emotions. Ritsuko would try and pretend she didn't want to go out drinking, that it was 'just to keep Misato safe', but Misato knew better.
A chair skittered across the floor, a swack of Pen-Pen followed by the avian retreating, and panicked Shinji, "That won't be necessary! I'll…I'll get your sample. Y-you can go back to check on Eris if you need to. I-I'll bring this once I'm done. B-but can you tell me WHY you need another sample?" The chair could be heard moving back, the clatter of plates and cups being put in the sink, and the soft plodding of Assist-aroids.
"First contact with new species requires experiments. Normally we'd have a larger sample size of people. But since we're being forced to stay hidden for now, you're the sole male we can ask. Human/Catian cross-breading, risk of infection, and other studies are needed. Eris and I thank you for your help with this," Durel sipped something and Misato heard fluid being poured. Kid was being asked to do something and still maintained a full cup of coffee, damn Misato got lucky with that kid. Another sip followed by, "Going to finish this coffee…your species made a lovely beverage here, then I'll go check on Eris. Take your time and if you DO need help…"
Misato listened to Shinji yelp and all but run off to the bathroom and slam the door. Giving a mental count to twenty she joined Durel at the table after grabbing a can of Yebisu for herself. "Coffee really is the drink of the lesser gods, Yebisu is the true drink of the Almighty. If you're ever wanting to try it feel free to join Kuune the next time she comes for a night visit. Mind telling me what I just spied?" Misato gave the scientist a side-eye. It was all cute for Shinji and Eris to play slap and tickle, kids adored one another, this woman however…Misato wasn't going to let somebody abuse her boy for nothing.
"Kuune did say she really enjoyed your alcohol. I've a few bottles I could bring if you'd like to try something new, we can both experience new things. As for that," Durel pointed at the closed door, "You heard what I said to him." How long Durel knew Misato was spying, Misato bet was the whole time. The new door to the apartment came with a few special upgrades to the apartment, all the spy devices were funneled and modified via Catian tech, so likely Durel knew more about the comings and goings now than Misato did.
Yeah Misato wasn't buying all of it, she couldn't, not yet at least. Popping her can open, "You could get samples from Ritsuko. Why does it have to be fresh from the tap? You're going to learn that humans can get pretty strange when sex is involved. Some people are all about it, have multiple partners, do all kinds of…things." Old memories of college popped into Misato's mind and she had to tug on her collar a little. Clearing her voice and hoping the eyebrow rise from Durel didn't notice, "Others are shyer about it. You likely noticed Shinji-kun is in the latter column."
"Two fold actually as why I'm asking him, and I have received a supply from your very accommodating Akagi. First is because he'll hopefully be Eris's first makes me want to insure THEY are not at risk from each other. Second…" Durel suddenly found her cup very interesting and drained more of it. After her silence was only met with Misato rolling her hand over to prompt her to continue, "Those accounts you provided…do younger males occasionally prefer older women? Is that why he is so…embarrassed when I tease him?"
Alright, next time Durel and Shinji interacted Misato was going to have to be there for it. "Some do yes, hell there are whole movies dedicated to it. How does the Catian people feel about wide age gaps?" Misato had to ask. Durel's question got Misato wondering, was she asking because she saw Shinji giving her the eyes OR was she hoping he was? Checking her phone, a text from Asuka said she was heading home with Hikari so the timeline was set.
Pouring more coffee, adding some sugar and a little cream, Durel's spoon tittered around the edge of the cup. With a small shrug, "Catian males typically only directly breed with younger women. Better odds of conception. Once you hit your mid-twenties its very unlikely you'll be selected unless you're of exceptional beauty or famous. If you're wanting a child at that age, its artificial insemination, or a genetically modified ova from your partner. There is no law or rule against it, and our species is very open when it comes to sex since for the most part its between two consenting females with no risk of child. And over the years we've seen so many species having vastly different feelings regarding the act."
"That…sucks!" Misato felt a small bitterness in that statement. A whole species of women that once they got a little old were no longer considered a viable partner? Well good for those Catians that found love where they could! "Still betting Kuune and yourself could get a man, hell the whole bridge crew are attractive," Misato threw a bone to the ship crew. They were all very attractive, Misato wouldn't lie, and had figures that were borderline impossible for human frames. Then she got struck with a fear, "Is that why you have that heat of yours? How do you deal with it? You've seen my official documents…see what our women use. Thoughts?" Misato was going to milk lie that porn was official mating documents. Get Shinji and Eris to get over any silly teenage issues.
Sitting up suddenly, her bell tinkled, Durel's ears twitched in what Misato noticed was happiness in Eris so hoped it was the same for the doctor. Batting a paw at Misato with a wink, "That is nice of you, and among your men I do feel quite confident. Among my own species…intelligence is a turn off. As for our heats, I'll provide you some documentation to help with that. What you can expect from Eris, well MORE from Eris as she's actually started her heat yesterday. Just it's a process and not a single event. As for what you use…you poor creatures. I'm having a small collection made for you to test. Well Asuka and you if you'd mind being our testbed. Much like Shinji-kun, you're the only easy options we have."
Holding her can out, Misato gestured Durel do the same, clinking them together, "That is what we call a toast. We touch our glasses to show hope and comradery. And is Shinji-kun STILL in the bathroom? I tend to tease him a lot about things, but never really paid much mind to it. Never found…" Misato shut up or she'd ruin the story she made. Shinji never had any porn in his room, Misato never found any of hers missing, so didn't know what or how he delt with pent up teenage hormones. It wasn't something Misato felt comfortable thinking about. She loved the kid, took some time for her to open up to the idea of it, but knew she did now. So made it awkward in her brain to ask him about actual sexual activity. Can't be the flirty party girl and then have a serious talk about that…mixed signals.
"If his previous time on the ship is an indicator he'll be at least five more minutes. Shouldn't you know that already since you live with him?" Durel sniffed the air and her pupils actually dilated a little, "Ah my own heat is coming soon. Need to take my meds."
Waving her hand dismissively, Misato's cheeks warmed, "I am hands off in that regard to his life. Why I'm so glad Eris and he are so close. I'm not his mother, only been living with him for a few months because of the angels. He's grown on me a lot, I tease him to get him out of his shell more. But I'm far to old for…" Misato dropped her can but an Assist-aroid caught it before it fell. She'd never considered Shinji a partner, she had plenty of options, but was THAT how Durel felt? Maybe it was the booze talking for her but Misato shifted in her seat, "Not to old, he's more a son to me now so just hoping he's happy. And from how he was when we first started living together…pretty sure he's attracted to older women."
"Angels, an odd name for those creatures," Durel's body language changed upon shifting topics. Oh Misato saw a small red hint to her cheeks and Durel's tail thumped a little, but upon hearing that dreaded word talking about softer things ended for now. Setting a small device on the table and hitting the button on it, "I have researched our archives for creatures like the one Eris killed. I have found a match. From a race that no longer exists, destroyed by the Orsonians. It was from some sort of process of trying to evolve their species to a ball of pure thought. Problem is the Dogsian empire was known to pillage old races for tech. How much do you know of them, the Dogsians?"
A whole race destroyed for being associated with the angels? Misato felt a chill work down to her toes, blinking hard, "I've heard you talk of them a little. Shinji-kun's mentioned them in passing. They're a bad race right, did things they weren't supposed to and got blacklisted or something. And the Orsonians…they can just end whole races? If the angels are here, will they do that to us?" Misato really wanted to talk about softer things now. Talking about Shinji and Eris having hot sweaty headboard breaking sessions was much more enjoyable than the possibility that humanity was facing the angels only to have a BIGGER threat coming.
"He said you didn't know of them, Shinji really does trust you and we want to trust him. Those suits your pilots wear and some of the tech those bio-mechs you use are integrated with Dogsian tech. Now this is just speculation right now from what I learned about those 'angels'. But I am wondering if the Dogsians are setting humanity up. When their masters fell and dragged them down, Dogsia turned to a lot of nasty tricks. This whole 'angel' business could just be a ploy of Dogsia to 'be the hero' and either 'save' humanity from it or claim that you're to blame and save the universe FROM you to get a clear slate. I've no link yet between Dogsia AND the aliens that attacked. Just that their masters were involved with things nearly identical. Would you be willing to aid us in exposing this?" Durel wrapped her fingers around her cup and Misato heard the strain of the cup nearly creaking.
Ending her can and handing it to the waiting darling to throw away, Misato's body trembled. "All of this might just be a scam? So much life lost, so much pain…yes I'll help. What do you need from…" Misato heard the door to the bathroom opening and made the (she hoped) universal sign for silence. No talking about this before the kids without evidence! Trying her best to sound peppy, very hard with how hollow her body felt, "So what do I spy when I get home early? Not the girlfriend but the scientist? Cheating on your little catgirl are you?" Spying the cup he was holding…kid was a firehose apparently!
"Misato-san! When did you…Durel-san you're still here? What…where is Eris?" Shinji stammered as he alternated between the two adults.
Catching the sealed container before it was lost to the ground and he had to refill it, Durel just smiled at him and patted his head. "Catians are a polygamous species, given what I've told you…bet you can understand why. As for you, Shinji, thanks for this, and I'll go check on Eris. She's been slacking on her ambassador training since she's been prepping for some date you two have planned. And Shinji…thanks, this helps Eris and you, Catians, and…if it is hard for you just means it's all the more reason to thank you. Offer stands next time you need to give a sample, maybe we can get Misato here to help us. Last document she provided had two ample chested women working in tandem…maybe get Kuune if Misato cannot help."
"Get out of here or he'll make a mess in his pants!" Misato joked as she pushed Durel towards the sliding door that lead to the Catian Embassy. Out of earshot of the boy, she did whisper, "Whatever you need me to do, ask. I pleaded my life to end the angel menace, hearing what you told me, I might have to change my objective." If all of this was some ploy for dog eared aliens to get out of trouble, Misato was going to make it far worse for them!
X-X
The arcade was always a mixed bag for Asuka in terms of social hangout spots. They were fun to play games at, but you really couldn't 'talk' with people there. To many sounds, distractions, and annoying clinging strangers to really interact with the people you went with. Then again going to a standard arcade wasn't typically a 'social' event since it was more a single event. Oh sure she played the dancing game along Eris, won Hikari a plushy, and let Erico teach her a few tricks for the rhythm game but that was about it. Still fun, last few Nerv training sessions hadn't really quelled her lust for battle. The light gun games helped with that, even if the targets were zombies.
Walking out of the now quite crowded establishment, Asuka had to shield her eyes at the adjustment. "You're pretty good at that, Eris, didn't think you'd be so decent at it. You get some training in?" Asuka was shocked pleasantly. She had expected the top heavy craven idol of geek fantasy to be all thumbs at shooting. Knowing the suit Eris wore gave her enhanced speed and strength, Asuka wasn't going to hold that as strengths Eris had. Give HER a power suit and Asuka would again be on top, but hand-eye coordination was different.
"Part of normal training actually. Was hoping to get some practical time in soon, getting a little rusty. Only our guns don't kill people, just destroy inanimate matter. Don't have to kill to win, just take away an opponents weapons, armor, and clothing and they tend to surrender," Eris opened her hip purse and let Asuka see the contents. Her bell and what looked like a child's toy zapper shimmered when exposed to the sun. Leaning in to whisper as the other girls started to get close, "Kuune is a little worried about dogs."
Having been told about the potential alien menace, Asuka couldn't help but scan the surroundings for any other 'cosplayers'. To think earth might have been infiltrated by a 'bad species' for unknown reasons! "Well you don't have to worry about that," she said softly before addressing the crew, "So what do we want to do next? I'm up for anything. Going to show Eris-kun here a good day before her wasted day tomorrow." A date with that spore, learning more about Eris made Asuka like the girl more, and that made her think she was wasted on Shinji.
"How about we go sing some Karaoke or go get some food?" Erico asked a little out of breath. Of the three girls Asuka brought with her, always good to bring others to not make it obvious for her intent, Asuka knew Erico the least. Long black hair, big forehead, shiny glasses, more bookish than the rest. Oddly enough more guys tried talking to her at the arcade than anybody else in the crew, guess guys could tell the weakest link and circled.
Checking her phone and letting out a relieved sigh, "My elder sister is home so I don't have to leave until later. So I'm game for anything. There is that new cat-café that opened. Eris-san, you like cats…considering…" Hikari pointed at the 'fake' ears and tail, Erico joined Hikari in a small but not cruel laugh. The cover story of Eris being a foreigner that liked cos-play worked far better than Asuka liked. Any idea that stemmed from Misato HAD to have a flaw somewhere. Sliding her phone back into her pocket, Hikari asked Asuka, "What is wrong with tomorrow, you keep saying Eris-san is wasting it."
Looking at her own phone, making sure it was still recording everything with the app Kaji gave her, Asuka was starting to feel a little bad spying on the girl but Kaji needed help. Once she was content her subterfuge was still in place, "She's going on a date with Shinji tomorrow, if you can believe she'd lower herself to do that! Not going to see him taking you to the arcade, an outdoor music recital, or anything fun." Shinji was far to boring for fun unless Asuka dragged him into it and forced it upon him. Poor kid was lost without a powerful girl, until Eris it was her, getting him to move.
"We came here before with his friends actually," Eris strode confidently down the sidewalk. The other girls followed suit, only it took Asuka a moment to accept what she heard. Using her hand like a faux gun, Eris took a few 'shots' at her friends, "He was really good! I couldn't out score him, Shinji-san. But once he knew I was his opponent he started to lose more often."
Rubbing her sweating forehead with a handkerchief, "Of course he'd be good at those games. Boys are always aggressive and like that stupid stuff. But from what Asuka-san said about Ikari-kun, he must have just had a lucky streak. He's uncoordinated and slow right?" Erico was one of those that believed Asuka's facts about all boys.
Raising her hand, Hikari was not doing well in the heat, "I vote café, I need a drink. The arcade always dries me out. Love those dancing games but I get all sweaty. How do you two stay so cool?" Tugging on the collar of her shirt, not the most lady like action, Hikari wasn't in a very caring mood as her body heat was stupid high.
"Just have to be in shape. If you exercise more often you won't be out of breath just from dancing to a two minute song. But if you want a drink, maybe we can get a bite to eat," Asuka had to needle Hikari a little. Girl COULD be more active but liked to keep things simple and more academic rather than physical. Slapping Erico on the back, "And I agree with her, no way geek-Shinji could ever actually out shoot you. Play those games long enough and you just memorize the patterns. Did you ask to go there or was it one those two goobers that recommended it?" Shinji didn't have good ideas for socialization, he was a wet doormat that needed to be lead about.
Pulling a small badge from her side purse, Eris affixed it to Hikari's shirt, "Give this a try, should help cool you. And I don't know, maybe you're right. But he didn't seem to know it when we got there. And a cat café? How does that work?" Eris listened as both Erico and Hikari informed her on the inner workings of the café.
Glad that Hikari actually knew of Eris's extraterrestrial nature, kept Hikari from commenting on the future tech, Asuka hoped Erico didn't notice anything strange. Girl was a bit dumb despite the nerdy outfit. Letting those two inform Eris about the 'cute establishment' Asuka wasn't a big fan of places like that. They were to 'little kid' for her, she was a sophisticated adult with more grownup tastes. What was fun about being surrounded by clingy furballs that just yowled and clawed at things? Well if they liked it, Asuka wasn't going to resist. Just meant she got to pick the next place!
"Welcome to 'The Fluffy Gato' just you four?" the door greater smiled warmly at them. A nice wooden finished floor, wide open space filled with cat towers, benches, chairs, and various boxes of cat toys were generously spread throughout the faux French café. Handing each girl a small paper menu which had the rules of the establishment on the back, "Feel free to sit anywhere you want, when you want service just put this with the green side face up and somebody will come to see to your needs."
Ok, the name was a clever pun for a cat café and Asuka found herself smirking at it. "Well don't go getting us kicked out now, go have your fun," Asuka waved off Erico and Hikari. Erico was all wide eyed and gushing over the felines moving about while Hikari just found the closest table and put her green flag up. 'Alone' with Eris, "So how does a place like this make you feel? Is this…good or bad for you?" Was this a zoo for Eris, slavery, or was it just a cute place to hang out?" How aliens felt about things, Asuka didn't know but was very interested to learn.
"This place is wonderful!" Eris scooped up a fat tabby that came to visit. Sitting down on one of the benches that had a view of the sun, "Shinji is going to bring me here tomorrow. I didn't want to say anything as Hikari-chan really looked like she needed a break. The cats here are all loved and love it!" Eris booped the cat's nose who playfully batted at her. Patting the bench next to her, "Have a sit, a few of them are interested in you…they smell Pen-Pen on you and are intrigued!"
She smelled like that peverted bird? Asuka fought the urge to rush to the nearest bathroom and scrub her skin clean. Taking a deep calming breathe, reminding herself that cats could smell her not humans, Asuka was making a mental note to re-wash (have Shinji re-wash) all her clothing and bedding. Two approaching felines (a Persian and a fat black cat) caught Asuka's eye as they both slowly padded towards her. "Why are you wasting your time with Shinji? Didn't you say you got a promotion or something? Girl like you could have anybody you want, but you settle for such a…regular guy. Going to upset you," Asuka readied her lap for the inbound furry missles.
"You know why, it's why you spend time with him when I'm learning about my new role. You don't have to hide it from me. Bio scanners Durel added spike whenever you're alone with him," Eris 'danced' with the cat that had her attention. It stood up on hit hindlegs as Eris held the cat's front paws as they swayed about playfully. Dazzling Asuka with a smile bereft of anger or spite, "You're his friend. I'm not trying to get between you. Just like with Rei-chan! I like all of you. This planet is so friendly."
Thank you stupid cats for jumping when you did! Asuka had an excuse for her inability to speak as Eris's stupid brain just said inane things! Asuka didn't have any sort of feelings for Shinji other than teammate or owner! No body reactions when she was alone with him, sure he was a little cute and when goaded to NOT being a slug he was fun to be around. What those scanners…wait scanners? Questions for later. Whatever those soon to be destroyed scanners were seeing was just her anxiety of tricking Shinji and Eris into letting her get close enough to get the info Kaji needed! Yup, that was it, nothing else, never going to be! Petting the purring bags of hair, "You're over thinking things. He's a teammate to me. Ayanami…he's the only boy that talks to her so she doesn't have many options. You sure you're alright with them spending time alone?" Must shift focus off of herself, Asuka didn't like people talking about her with info she didn't expect!
"That would be great! Ayanami is always so lonely, and she seems to really enjoy spending time when at your place. Oh, Erico! That one right there really likes the ball!" Eris shifted away from her little dance to the other cats. Skittering off over to the other girls, leaving Asuka alone with three cat now, Eris was the bastion of positivity Asuka originally thought was faked. Nope, it was real and genuine. Eris was just a happy girl that kept trying and saw things in people that Asuka just didn't.
Watching the three girls play with the cats, Asuka was content to alternate which of the three she pet. Being able to literally talk to them, Eris was the center of attention for the café, and Asuka didn't mind. Normally her need to be superior kicked in during cases like this, but when dealing with an actual alien what could a superior human do? Asuka couldn't talk to cats, Asuka didn't have futuristic tech, and Asuka had goals that weren't so superfluous. They were different people, and Asuka was begrudgingly alright with being on-par with Eris, Eris only won due to unfair advantages, and that was something Asuka could accept.
They stayed at the café for roughly a half hour just enjoying a small snack and drink while getting their cute on. Asuka let Erico and Hikari set the pace of what was going on, she'd be going home with Eris so being selfish was pointless. After they left the café they went to do a little clothing shopping so Hikari and Erico could pick out Eris's date cloths. Once Eris got her outfit that was wasted on Shinji, they just trolled around the arcade and talked about inane things. Asuke kept expecting to start getting bored like she did with the other sycophants that flocked about her, but she didn't. It continued to be fun, if a little guvinile for her tastes. But eventually Erico got a call to return home, so they called the hangout session over.
"What do you think Shinji made for supper today!? Oooh I can't wait! He makes such great food," Eris thrust her hand into the air in excitement. A few around them got a good leer as she bounced about without care. Hugging her date cloths to her chest, "Thanks for today, Asuka, with everything happening I needed a day of just hanging out. So nervous about tomorrow."
Scoffing, Asuka nearly tripped at the mental crash that just happened. Staring gobsmacked at Eris, "What do you have to be nervous about? It's going out with Shinji! You do it all the time. Just because it's a 'date' doesn't change much does it? And if you're so worried about it, why not ask…Ayanami to tail you in case things go bad?" Asuka nearly offered to go with them if wanted, but hesitated. It was just a date, not like it was going to be anything but geeky loser Shinji faffing about wasting the golden opportunity he had been handed.
Standing on the balls of her feet, leaning over just enough for her tail to sprout out akin to a majestic flower (and many people snapping pictures), Eris swayed her hands back and forth under her chin. "You don't think that would be to much for him? I did see the tutorials for multiple women and one male, but I wasn't sure if they'd be willing to just go for that! But if you think they'd be alright with it, I'll ask Rei to come with us! Might be good to have somebody there to support me if his energy reserves are as deep as they've be…" Eris eeped and went red faced.
"What…what did you just say? Have you two been playing kissy face in the apartment when nobody is around!" Asuka saw the sudden change in Eris. Chasing after the red-faced Eris back to the apartment determined to get info out of Eris. Geeky little Shinji and she weren't just hand holding when everybody was gone? How could that lame sack actually take initiative and…wait. Eris kept saying things all day about Shinji that Asuka hadn't expected or thought was an exaggeration…how much did Asuka actually MISS about him? For one, when they got into the apartment they found Misato, Chiaka, and Akagi already at the table waiting for them…and Shinji had made an actually delicious feast.
X-X
This 'date' was not what Shinji had anticipated when they day began, not in the slightest. It was fun, whenever he went out with Eris that was always the case, but he had somewhat expected/hoped things would be more romantic. Romance was aborted however, on his part at least, the moment he opened the apartment door for Eris and found Ayanami waiting on the other side. Not expecting the albino, Shinji was confused why she was just standing there until Eris thanked Rei for showing on such short notice. So it wasn't just Rei showing up for food and the awkward but growing on him afternoons hanging out.
With the extra addition to the mix, things didn't really have the whole 'date' feeling that Shinji was hoping to provide. The music in the park was nice, but became a small explanation session to Ayanami about why the musicians where playing for free. As for wardrobe, they were all over the place as well. Shinji was wearing a slightly more upscale outfit with a blue-collared shirt, Rei was still in her school uniform, and Eris dazzled everybody with a red and white dress/short combo that mirrored her official outfit. Shinji had lost feeling in his tongue when he first saw that, his cheeks blazing, with how it hugged and accentuated her curves and how it flowed with her movements. Eris saw this and joined him in a private world, then Ayanami would point out something and the illusion was broken.
After the concert they went to a place Shinji had looked up as a good 'energetic date' spot. Roller-skating was new to the city, being an old-timey foreign concept it took off well with kids. Having an excuse to hold onto your date while music played and going around in circles in the dark? Go at your own pace and sweat a little bit while having fun? Sounded perfect…well Eris's tail proved to give her an edge over the other two as more time was spent on his butt than not, and Ayanami didn't master turning until several wall collisions. Still it had been fun, not the hand holding emotional jaunt Shinji planned, but Eris and he left smiling while Ayanami said she would go again. From Ayanami that was high praise.
The cat café had to be scrapped as the moment Rei walked in all the cats bolted, so they opted to go somewhere less depressing. A family restaurant, a quintessential date spot if Shinji ever found one. "I've saved up for today, so I'm paying. Get whatever you want," Shinji tried to come off confident. He knew he had enough money, but with three mouths instead of two he might have to abandon some of the later plans for the day. Ayanami could pack away food at an astounding rate if allowed. Eris and he were glad though, from Eris's health scan of Ayanami she was dangerously low weight for her age/height.
"As an observer I could pay for my own way, but if you are insistent," Rei didn't do faux hesitant at all. Immediately opening the menu and pouring over it, girl was hoping to find the secrets to life, the universe, and everything in its laminated pages.
Sitting next to Shinji in the booth, Eris took his hand under the table and squeezed it. The booths were faux red leather, the table was a laminated red and white checkerboard, the lights were bright, and the sound of families chatting around was the opposite mood Shinji wanted. But holding that hand, feeling that tail thump against him, Shinji was instantly calmed of worry. "Thanks for letting Rei-chan come with us. I was…when I asked her my mind was a bit fuzzy. She seems to be having fun, I am for sure," Eris whispered. If Rei could hear them over her focus or not, who knew.
"What did you tell her though? She hasn't really said much other than she was here to watch us?" Shinji hoped his hand wasn't to clammy. Using his free hand, Shinji checked through the menu for what he'd eat. Not typically one to eat out at restaurants, the options were rare comfort foods that he typically avoided. Older teens walked by and Shinji couldn't help but hear them make comments about his table, Eris just stood out in her outfit, thankfully she had a hat on to mask her ears. Checking if Rei was watching, she didn't seem to be, "I don't mind her being here. Glad to see her out having fun to. Nobody seems to pay her much mind other than us, that's sad." It was, and Shinji still felt for his first crush. Eris had the lion share of his heart, but old memories of appreciation and attraction for Ayanami never vanished.
Her head dipped a little, and Eris quickly freed her hand to hold the menu up to mask her face from the whole restaurant. While an adorable shield, it didn't answer Shinji's question and only made him want to know more. Gushing a little loudly, "You really are a nice guy. And don't worry about what I told her, it isn't important right now. Lets just continue to have a good time, and well…" Peeking at Shinji over the menu, her eyes were glassy and adoring.
"So you know what you want yet?" the lad that was clearly not wanting to be working today asked. Quick look at him gave off a bored college student who didn't expect a good tip from the younger patrons. The guy's eyes did linger on Eris for a moment, and that did brighten his mood a little, "We do have some specials on the small menu here if you didn't notice." He pointed at a smaller single page menu that all three had missed.
After a quick glance at the side-menu, Rei just shook her head and pointed at the menu she held, "I would like this…this…and this to drink." If she didn't have to use words, Rei just wouldn't and let the guy read and copy down her request. Not handing over the menu, she dropped it and just put her hands on her lap and let her gaze bore holes into the two across the table from her.
"Y-yeah, I'm ready too. Sorry if we're taking to long," Shinji apologized and tried to smooth over Rei's little rudeness. Shinji kept his original plans for his meal while Eris did opt to get something off the daily special menu. Thankfully the waiter left with a half grin instead of his initial bored expression. "Not my original plan for our meal, but this place is nice on its own," Shinji didn't feel like it was a good date spot, but that was just how things turned out.
Drinking most of the complimentary water, Rei shifted in her seat, "Why did you not go with the original plan?" Rei's head tilted just a little, a sign Shinji learned she was actually curious.
"Well…the reservation was for two, and they didn't have any extra capacity. N-next time I'll get the details better," Shinji couldn't lie. If he had tried, he knew Rei or Eris would notice and call him out on it. Neither girl was good at letting falsehood go forward, so Shinji just accepted it and told the truth. When Rei blinked a few times, Shinji quickly added, "Glad you're here, Ayanami-san, just Eris-san didn't let me know of the changed plans until it was to late." Aka when the door opened and Rei was there, start of the date, and that didn't really give Shinji time to update the reservation.
Reaching across the table and play batting at Rei, Eris joined Shinji in pre-consoling the third wheel. Nodding at Shinji's words, "Exactly! We're new at this dating thing, earth customs are different than what I'm used to. Just one girl with a guy isn't normal for Catians. And you're a great friend! So wanted to share this with both of you! So lets get our energy up and then if…well…next is the…" Eris sniffed the air a bit and her tail curled around Shinji's waist.
"Y-yeah, lets just eat and enjoy each others com-company," Shinji stammered and his heartrate just spiked. Was Eris actually insinuating they still going to try and keep going forward with this date? Her tail was definitely being affectionate, and that sniff was something Shinji saw before. Ever since the visit to the Catian ship they've been just a little bit more touchy-feely when nobody was around. All on-top of the clothing stuff, but they did kiss rather deeply (in the mind of an emotionally recovering teenager at least), but whenever Eris started to sniff, her tail being possessive, Shinji found a reason to escape. He didn't know exactly how this heat worked, and didn't want to abuse it to get Eris to do something she wasn't ready for. But with Rei here, Shinji hadn't thought he'd have to consider anything physical.
Getting their drinks, Rei's was a fancy looking green creamy drink, she quickly gave herself a cream mustache. Not realizing she was putting on a rather cute display, "If I am not causing an issue, then I shall continue to observe. Per standard dating procedure, will you two be engaging in fornication next?"
Shinji's ability to control his body for a moment was lost and his head collided with the table, the glasses clattered about but thankfully nothing spilled. While he was rubbing his head, Eris's tail practically pulled him against her, "Well…if he's willing. We have spoken a little about it. A-and my he-heat has started. No-no pressure, but…" Eris's body heat ramped up to a small blaze. She did speak more from the heart and less the head when her body chemicals shifted.
"So how goes the move-in!" Shinji nearly shouted as a tail just so happened to casually brush something. Eris was in a high mood, if she got wet or cold she'd snap out of the emotional high and back to rational. But the mere idea that two girls that Shinji had affection for were talking so casually about the prospect of… yeah Shinji's brain didn't do well with that. Doing his best to shift the topic of conversation to something less red helped. The temp-embassy was going well, Kuune and Misato became quick drinking buddies as they both had gripes about the rules of their worlds. Durel was…well Shinji had to think Durel was just playing with him, Chiaka was fun and energetic, and Melwin was somebody Shinji identified with. All nice people, all enjoyed earth, and Shinji cooked for all of them.
The meal came and was scarfed down in a few massive bites for Ayanami and more leisurely for the other two. They shared with everybody, well what COULD be shared from Ayanami's leftovers. Shinji was waiting to learn more from Durel about Rei's condition before talking to Rei about it, so for now it was just doing what he could to keep her healthy. Once the plates were taken, and the bill paid, the trio left the restaurant, and Shinji's stomach was all filled with confusion and butterflies. Who was at the embassy, who was at the apartment, or did they possibly go to one of those…
"Why are their robots here?" Rei pointed out as they exited the restaurant. Pointing at the aforementioned machines, and Shinji didn't recognize them as being the cute little cat things that helped at the apartment. These were more bulky and sharped edged, darker in color, and numbered at least fifteen if not more.
Fight or flight kicked on, and Shinji realized in that moment that those machines weren't there to help them. Shoving Ayanami back into the restaurant, "Call Misato-san and have her tell the embassy about this!" Shinji hoped Ayanami listened for the greater good. Dogs, these robots had dog like ears and he had eavesdropped enough half whispered and 'late night' talks about some threat from 'Dogsian' faction. Grabbing Eris's hand, Shinji started to run away from the restaurant and away from the crowd of people take pictures, "We have to run, get away from people!"
"Rei-san get to safety! Stay safe!" Eris doubled down on Shinji's fears for the girl. Joining Shinji in a brisk run, "My suit…should I change into it? With my heat though…" She had said that the deeper her heat was the less output her suit had, so Shinji had no idea how strong Eris would be.
Whenever Shinji saw an option of people or no people, he chose the 'no people' option as he ran. His lungs ached only after a short time, he was not in the greatest of shape despite the Nerv physical training. But he did the best he could and eventually lead Eris down an alley between an Anne Millers and a different restaurant. The Dogsian crew not far behind. Grabbing a pipe, "Can we fight these things or do we keep running?"
Pulling a small toy looking device from her small bag, "They're not as smart as our Assist-aroids so we should be fine. I've sent out a distress call, but they're blocking it. Take out enough of them and it should get through. Sorry about this!" Eris pointed her toy at one of the Dog-bots and the thing suddenly was missing an arm, then another, and then a leg having it tumble forward. "This destroys non-living matter, but its low charge due to…" Eris yelped as Shinji pushed her to the side.
Seeing one of the robots lunging at Eris, Shinji knocked her aside and swung his pipe at the thing. The clang of metal on metal was mighty and Shinji felt the vibration of the hit all the way from his arm to his cheeks. Sadly it didn't do much more than unbalance the droid. "Talk later, no blame, lets just get out of this," Shinji tried to keep his cool, but it was hard. In an Eva, fights didn't feel real despite the sensation. The screen gave the false impression of a movie or game, but this was real. And since his mighty strike did little but bother the thing, all Shinji could do was stall as Eris tried to take them down.
"But this ruined our date! It isn't fair, why couldn't this have happened…never?" Eris took her turn in hip checking Shinji. While he was pushing one droid back with his pipe, the machine grabbed it and started eating it. While he tried to free his main way of keeping things at bay, another dog-droid dove at him, Eris wasn't having that and spun around him and put enough holes into it that it fell to the ground. Working in tandem, Shinji pushing things back to give Eris a good angle, and she using said position to remove vital parts, they started thinning the herd. Clearing some growing sweat from her brow, "Good workout, and I think we've about…"
A cannister landed between the two of them that burst open spraying both in a cloud of nauseating vapor. Shinji covered his mouth but knew it was to late for him, he breathed it in and already his body was growing groggy, "Eris-san can you escape…use your bell…jump away or…" His body was sluggish and his pipe fell from his hands.
"Already in suit…won't work…sleepy," Eris wrapped Shinji in her arms and the pair fell to the ground. Shinji hadn't even noticed she had shifted from her dress to the outfit with how close they mirrored colors. Wrapped in her warm embrace, Shinji felt his consciousness leave him.
X-X
When she entered Gendo's office, Rei noticed a slight smell that was minorly annoying. It was a sour smell mixed with gunpowder, and it meant the alien was here. Jens was an outsider that Rei didn't particularly like, but her opinion never mattered in the past. The mission was what mattered, fulfilling her purpose is what mattered, and to that end Jens and her faction was apparently required. But what she'd been gleaming from the Katsuragi home, things were not exactly what Rei had been told. Rei also hated that dog robot that Jens had with her, the laugh hurt her ears.
"So we have the two of them in a defended warehouse, surrounded by some mercenaries and androids. Wasn't expecting the interference, so we'll have to think of how to take care of this cleanly. Or if you'd give me the go ahead, we just take out both," Jens strode about the room. She eyed all the people there, which was the standard conspirators of the commanders, Akagi, and Ayanami herself. The dog did its annoying laugh which made Rei want to hit it.
Standing behind Gendo, the hand clenching the leather chair was white with tension, Kozo went just a little pale. Clearing his throat, "Are you saying you're asking permission to eliminate BOTH captives and not just the planned one? Jens-kun, we do have a fairly large need for him. Unless you're going to provide a replacement or manner of defeating the Angels, I don't think that is an option." The old man met Rei's gaze for a moment, she saw weakness there and he was willing to consider it. If Shinji was on the block, Rei knew she was even closer to replacement than she ever realized.
"We are willing to increase the output of your little mechs and provide upgrades to your plugsuits as compensation. We did botch the operation, but I would like to add part of that is due to bad data on your side. Psychological reports stated the unintended capture was a coward and would have fled not aided are primary target," Jens stood next Ritsuko and gave the woman a quick sniff and scrunched her nose in disgust. Rei did agree that Akagi would often smell poorly due to all the chemicals and cigarette smoke.
Gazing over a few photos that Rei couldn't see, Gendo nodded and set them back down. Closing the folder he spoke flatly, "We'll need to see your offer before we consider it. Unless we know it's a suitable replacement we cannot risk it. In the interim you can consider taking out the primary, some mental scarring was expected, just not at this stage. How long do we have until this is known to them and they retaliate?" They continued to speak in code as if Rei wasn't there the day before when the attack happened.
"They already know, and from what Katsuragi has slipped they're already sending out those…androids of their own as well as the security officer has been given clearance to search," Ritsuko nearly said cute, but Rei doubted the others noticed. Having spent so much time with her handler, Rei knew more about the faux blond than anybody would believe. Rei knew of Ritsuko's cat obsession, and saw the way the woman was fixated with the Catians. But if Ritsuko was on the cusp of defecting, well that was a risk Rei wasn't going to take unless she was more certain.
With that Jens actually frowned in a rare showing of loss of control, "Then we have little time. I've shields up to mask the subjects tracking signal, but that won't work long. I say we have less than eight hours until they notice the deception. Then they'll stage an intervention and we cannot have any proof of Dogsian installment. So you have five hours to tell me your wants, at that point I'll make the call myself." Without caring about Fuyutsuki's rebuttal, both master and bot went to the secret exit from the room and passed through it. Jens and Rei exchanged a rather heated visual conversation…or Rei just stared rather angrily at the mut.
"We cannot let them do that. We need him. I'd say let them take out the interloper and we deal with the side effects if nothing else," Kozo took Jen's space on the side of the desk. Not like they had other options if they went with Jens's plan. It was take out one or both, no allowance for both to escape. Rei could accept the panic in the older man. Save what you could, even if it wasn't in perfect condition.
Ritsuko however paced over to Rei and for a moment Rei wasn't sure what to expect from the woman that had a very pensive expression rarely seen. The reluctance in her voice was barely perceptible, "What if we ask for both to be let go? The plan was ruined the moment they took both of them, they should have aborted rather than do what they did. Now we have both of them knowing of the Dogsian involvement. So even IF we get him back, he'll know, he'll talk. Nothing can stop that now. If we throw our aid to the Catians, they could replace the Dogsians in aiding us…just not knowing our true plans."
"That is…let me think about that. It might be our best option to break our partnership with the dogs now that they've tipped their hand," Gendo waved off the assembled to think. When Rei didn't leave with them, Gendo adjusted his glasses as Rei approached his desk, "You had something else to add?"
Not used to questioning the Commander, or even second guessing his plans, Rei was actually sweating as she approached his desk. "Why was I not informed of the interception mission?" she'd start off small. Data gathering was highly valued for proper questioning. Rei had been with Shinji and Eris when the mission went off, and she had nearly been injured by the Dogsian androids. Without knowing what was happening Rei informed Misato of the event and now it was fully discriminated information at Nerv. Had Rei known this was an actual Commander approved event, who knows what she would have done.
"Twofold. First we didn't know the planned time of the operation, and two plausible deniability. If you knew of it when we knew, you might have slipped and botched it further than is has been. As such I'll expect you to be able to pilot 01 if this is a worst case scenario. Anything else?" Gendo didn't bother looking at the girl. Already working on other documents, he wasn't really showing any care if she did have other comments.
With a salute, Rei left the commanders office with a growing sense of abandonment. From what she had observed in those around her, the entertainment she was lately exposed to thanks to her mission to infiltrate the Shinji/Eris relationship, and from the Catians themselves Rei's faith was rocked. Familiar attachment to offspring (either real as father/son or surrogate such as Eris/Kuune) was a sign of loyalty. Gendo just threw his actual child under the heel of the alien dogs. For what? What was being whispered at the Katsuragi apartment was that the Dogsians were to blame for everything and Gendo was blindly following them to his own end.
If she followed, she'd go over the side of the cliff with the man. Was her loytalty to him worth the small amount of affection he gave her? A meal here, a small talk there, but still with the caveat of 'if you fail you'll be replaced'? That fact had been held over Rei's head ever since she was informed she wasn't the first Ayanami Rei but actually the second. She'd seen the room, knew of her origin, and Akagi had let her know that without her medication life wouldn't be as painless for her. Then she'd been given the order to infiltrate Shinji's group and join his harem…was that the right word? So far it was just Eris, but Eris had been VERY vocal that Catians allowed cluster partnerships and had shown signs of attraction to her.
"I was wrong, emotions and seduction are hard. But Eris is allowing me easy access to both of them," Rei muttered as she left the office. Misato was there talking to other bridge members and when she saw Rei quickly was ending whatever conversation she was having. It wouldn't be long before Katsuragi drug Rei off for an informal debriefing. So Rei just stood there and waited for the whirlwind. Rei's time cracking into the relationship hadn't gone as effortlessly as she had expected. Or maybe she just sucked at suduction? Either way she had been exposed to a lot of positive emotions (stiflingly so from Eris). Rei enjoyed being with the two, enjoyed her time at the Katsuragi apartment, and really enjoyed her time with Shinji. She didn't want it to change, didn't want to lose what little positive her life now had.
Pointing out of the command box, Misato charged towards her, "Excellent you stayed. I need to hear what you know. They're keeping this all hush-hush, so you'll tell me what happened right?" Misato grabbed Rei by the bicep as she approached, squeezed just hard enough to show she meant business, and lead the girl away. But never let it be known Misato wasn't a nice interrogator as she bought Rei a can of juice. "What is the plan? If Nerv isn't going to do anything, Chiaka is chomping at the bit to lead a charge into the city. Durel has updated some sort of scanner and thinks she'll be able to find them," Misato leaned against the wall she had pressed Rei against. Anybody that attempted to enter the breakroom was glared off by Misato in nanoseconds.
"I am not currently able to speak of their plans," Rei made subtle gestures to the various cameras and listening devices. Talking openly about this would be treason, and that meant she'd be replaced before she could do anything. How Shinji put himself in danger to push her away from harm, all the food he made for her, all the times he went out of his way to make her life better and she just took. It was time to repay that, even if it cost her. Rei wasn't totally stupid now to emotional pairings, and the expression she saw on Shinji's face when the 'date' started was telling of both his expectations and his character. He hadn't expected she'd be there, hadn't wanted her there, and hoped for a more private outing. But he took it in stride, smiled at her, and allowed her to accompany the pair on their date.
Pushing something in her pocket, Misato pulled out a device of Catian make. "Cameras and listening devices are delt with. Now what do you know, what are they planning," Misato's tone was dangerous, promised the inverse of the woman's normal light hearted nature.
"They are planning to kill Eris and possible Ikari-kun in under eight hours. If the Dogsians can provide a suitable replacement for Ikari-kun it will be option two, if not the commander is willing to accept psychological scarring," Rei made her choice. She'd back the Catians and their allies, as they at least promised warmth where servitude was all her current life offered. "Sub-Commander is hoping for the former option while I think he just fearful of backing Akagi's request of alliance shift in exposing the Dogsians and joining the Catians," Rei didn't realize how hard it would be to confess. She was betraying the commander, and her body actually shook a little as the realization hit her, this was not in her immediate best interest.
Slapping the flats of her palms against the wall, the clap was loud enough to hurt Rei's ears, Misato stomped towards a table and chair and hurled the chair at the wall. "Do you know where they're being held?" Misato didn't question Rei's loyalty or authenticity, just accepted what she heard. The woman was smart, knew not to waste time on certain things when time was in such short supply.
A hissing sound, a laugh? Did she just hear that stupid robot dog's laught? Rei was nearly sure she did just hear that prickly sound. Shaking her head, Rei just accepted that if she did hear the laugh she was exposed and she had no alternative now but to go all in. "A warehouse is the only thing the Dogsian officer Jens said. She did confirm that they have technology in masking the tracking signature from Eris's bell. The timeline of five hours was given for Nerv to make up its mind in what it will do," Rei dodged out of the way of more trash as Misato's anger spilled over. Throwing bottles, cans, and wads of garbage, the woman was not in a happy place.
"Alright, you're coming with me then. You can try to explain this to the Catians and help them if you can. Going to have a lot of questions for you, young lady, as you know a lot more than I'd expect. But since you're willing to talk, means you're willing to be forgiven. IF your helping has results, you get me?" Misato wrapped her arm around Rei's shoulder. It might have looked like a caring embrace to many, Rei knew it had two purposes. First was to keep Rei from fleeing, and oddly comforting was the second reason was Misato was shielding Rei from anything untoward.
Misato was a very warm woman, and not in an emotional sense, the woman was just billowing heat. "Where are we going? I believe we were overheard in the break area by a surveillance bot so expect that timetables might be altered," but Rei doubted that. If Jens stepped to far out of line it would mean Nerv would betray her and that would be the end for her whole plan. Rei nearly stumbled more than once as Misato beat feet towards the garage, only for the woman to literally lift her up to catch her footing. So new info to remember, Katsuragi was fairly strong when pushed.
"Apartment or embassy whatever you want to call it. Be safe there, and Durel might want to talk to you. Not sure you know this, but they can help you with some physical problems you might have…maybe a few of them considering your neutered nature. Being a Guinee pig has benefits…those girls have some very fun toys," Misato's levity was welcome as the oppression started to build and surround them.
Not fully understanding all of what Misato was talking about, Rei just assumed it was something in the woman's attempt at lewd humor. Nothing happened while they got to the car and drove back to the apartment. Nothing officially ordered by the Dogsians, but Rei did fear for her life as Misato's driving was not for sane minds or eyes. Misato made a quick call to somebody, and when they arrived, Rei's fingers had to be pride off of the handholds by the Catians that escorted her up to their little Embassy. The woman that could only be Chiaka was suited up and offered Rei the option of joining her during the repeating of the debriefing Rei had given Misato. Time was ticking and the cat aliens were not going to let one of their own fall. Rei was envious of that sense of loyalty, craved it.
X-X
Her hand hurt from punching the wall with her suit on to no effect, but Eris didn't know what else to do. Everything had been going perfect and then those Dogsian androids ruined everything! If her kidnappers hadn't taken her purse she'd have already downed her anti-heat medication and burst out of here! But the people that grabbed Shinji and her took Shinji's phone, her bag, and their identification. Either they didn't know her bells abilities or they knew she wasn't able to make full use of it. At least they were being fed, nothing good, but anything is better than starvation.
Rubbing her throbbing hand, Eris paced the small room with its lone cot and bucket for…uses. Shinji was gone, taken out of the room by the captors in the early morning. Time was hard to tell in this room without windows, but from the sounds around her Eris derived their location to be an industrial zone. "What are they doing to him, why didn't they take me?" Eris muttered as she was confused and more than a little worried. Why hadn't the Dogsian's taken her instead of Shinji? She had tech and knowledge that a human wouldn't have, yet they took him first. Her ears flattened against her scalp in fear, "What can we do to get out of here?"
"Step away from the door," a cracking female voice wafted over a speaker. A few heavy raps on the door got Eris to back away from the dented green metal door. It opened, a masked and armed human male held the edge of the door as a Dogsian Assist-aroid walked into the room and then he shut it again and locked it. The android squeaked as it moved to the center of the room, "Are the accommodations to your liking?" It was a voice being broadcast over a speaker from the android's mouth, somebody was remote piloting the thing.
Grabbing the bucket that both Eris and Shinji bashfully used while the other pretended not to hear, Eris chucked it at the droid. She scored a hit on the head, didn't do anything but cover it with the contents, "What are you doing to Shinji-san!" With the current event her fault, she believed at least, Eris wasn't feeling like being so amorous with her terms.
The drippings fell from the open maw and Eris could hear the eyes zooming in on her, recording her. "You don't have to worry about that. You'll know soon enough when he's returned. Came in to offer you a way out. I see you're deep in your dirty little heat. The guard outside the door could take care of that for you if you ask nicely," even through the static Eris could hear the snark.
"Why are you here?" Eris instinctively drew herself smaller, covered herself as best as her hands could. Her dress had been torn a little, and when Shinji had been with her hadn't minded. Now with what this woman was purposing, she felt the need to cover.
Advancing on Eris, the droid grabbed at the hem of Eris's dress and tore it up to the hip, "I just wanted to offer you the chance. Do what I say and I'll let him go, give me full access to your bell and access codes to your ships mainframe. Or you can stay here for a few hours more, have a lovely time with the guards, both of you could actually, and you can comfort each other when the end comes." Standing in the center of the room, bathed in the dirt covered light, the shadows made the normally silly designed machine appear menacing.
She couldn't give the Dogsian what they wanted, and Eris knew it. Her bell alone would give the Dogsian a massive tech upgrade, the ships codes would put the whole ship in danger, and she couldn't do that. Shinji would understand right? The needs of the many and such. "Never, you'll never get either from me. So just get out!" she threw the itchy pillow from the nasty bed at the machine. The soft thromp it made when it hid didn't have the aggressive sound that Eris wanted.
"I'll give you an hour to change your mind, you can even talk to your little toy about it. Just don't try to start the party early. That wouldn't be fair to the guards," that woman was having to much fun with what she was saying. The metal claw of the droid rapped on the door and it opened again.
Eris made a break to run out the door when it opened for the droids escape but was intercepted by Shinji's body. They hurled the lad at her as she ran and she found herself pinned by him, just not in the manner she had envisioned the day before. Dreams of romance ended once they left the restaurant. The door slammed shut and the lock engaging evident with the echoing in the small room. Crawling out from under Shinji, Eris rolled him onto his back and she covered her mouth to mask the gasp of shock, "S-Shinji-san, are you alright?"
"No," Shinji wasn't in a place for levity, "but I've had worse at least. How are you?" He tried to sit up on his own but when he winced in pain Eris's helped him to sit. Shirtless, Shinji gave Eris clear view of all the bruises that littered his chest, arms, and face. One of his eyes was blackened, but he tried to smile at her and even reached to cup her cheek but stopped when he saw it was covered with blood. Eris took it and finalized the distance, "Sorry for the way the date turned out. I'll think of a better one next time."
Normally being this close to Shinji would have set Eris's mind into a tizzy, but all she felt right now was anger. "How about we just st-stay in next time? W-watch a movie and…what did they do to you?" Eris couldn't keep up with the faux happy talk. Shinji was in pain, and Eris knew the time was ticking. What could they do to get out? Drawing Shinji's back against her, she hugged him and tried to sooth him as best she could.
"They asked about the Eva. Put strange thing on my head, and when I didn't tell them immediately, they started," Shinji grabbed at Eris's hand and held it. It nearly broke Eris's heart when Shinji drew into a ball, "I didn't want to talk. I hardly know anything really…but my head was foggy, and when they just started hitting me with electric sticks. I didn't mean to say anything."
Shushing Shinji, he hadn't done anything wrong, "Its fine. You did nothing wrong, and nobody will say otherwise," Eris felt tempted to do what the woman offered, if only to get Shinji out. It wouldn't be that easy though, even if she did go to an extreme to end her heat…that woman would make Shinji be in the room to hear and see it. For over an hour the pair just sat there, enjoying the brief respite from the fear they felt, but they couldn't stay, so Eris asked, "Now…how about we…get out of here?"
"Did you find…a way to fix your bell?" Shinji forced himself to sit up. His bare back rubbing against her did send a thrill down Eris's spine, making her mind a little foggy. Stupid biology, even now it could be triggered to be stupid. "Shame I can't use it…show them its not nice to treat people how they did," Shinji chuckled just a little.
Wait! That was possible! With her old bell it wouldn't have been, she hadn't clearance enough for that level of genetic manipulation. But with her promotion to ambassador it came with enough to do so! Putting her bell around Shinji's neck, it tinkled as she did and made him look adorable! "You don't mind if I c-change your genetics for a moment or two do you? Only Catians can use the bell, but with my promotion my bell can be used for emergencies to…make a few changes," Eris was already prepping for it. Shinji would agree to it, she knew it, he was brave and willing to do anything to help.
"We can do that? Sure lets do that. I'm not much of a fighter…but the strength alone should help," Shinji let Eris help him stand up. Giving the bell a little flick, the chime was quite literally music to both of them. A small laugh escaped him, "I doubt it hurts more than anything I've felt in the last few hours. Shall we take our leave?" He extended his elbow to her and she gladly took it. Despite how nasty he looked, Shinji smiled and nodded at Eris as she activated her bell. Sadly the process didn't heal any of his injuries, but his cat ears were just the most adorable things Eris had seen.
The door burst open and two guards came running with the robotic voice calling, "Stop them now before they can escape!" Eris threw the bucket again at the guards giving Shinji enough time to activate his suit.
Rushing to intercept the guards, Shinji was not a fighter but with the overwhelming strength it was enough. Clumsy punches to the stomach sent the two rolling along the ground and crashed against the wall. "I didn't kill them did I? I know this thing amplifies strength, didn't realize it was this much," Shinji flexed his fists in disbelief.
"Well their goes my hopes for a fun evening. I'll just have to get my answers from you later boy, well more answers, little snitch. Activate self-destruct," the woman was laughing as the Dogsian Assist-aroids all started to beep.
Jumping over the fallen guards, Eris was quick to Shinji's side and lead him down a hallway. "Don't listen to her, she's full of lies. We have to get out of here before things start to go up," Eris hoped they had time. Staying behind Shinji, the suit would be a better shield than her torn dress. The hallway opened into a wide open space, they were in a warehouse! A chair with straps that was…well it wasn't something Eris wanted to notice what it was covered in. But she did see her bag, and grabbed it. All around them Dogsian robots and tech installations started to crack and explode.
"How do we get out of here now, will this protect us both from the heat of the fire?" Shinji acted to block Eris from the fires. Guards were heard running all around them, the number of them they didn't know. Likely many were running away since the base was now ablaze. Scooping Eris up in his arms, "I could get to like this suit…tail is…no idea how to control it. I could try to jump over it, kick out a door or window."
Now in Shinji's arms, safety nearly assured, Eris allowed herself to relax a little, "You should fine from the heat. Don't worry about me." Once they got back to the embassy they'd have access to the healing gear and that would fix any burns she'd get. Pointing at a door that had the clearest path to the exit, "That is our best…"
The door that Eris was pointing at burst inward sending shrapnel towards them, Shinji was quick to turn and shield Eris. Two figures rushed towards them, putting out the fires as they could, "Eris! What is going on here?" Chiaka took Eris from Shinji's arms.
Clad in a modified plugsuit was Ayanami who, much to Shinji's reluctance, scooped up the newly eared boy. "Stop resisting your rescue Ikari-kun. You have cat ears? Is this a side effect of mating?" Rei just didn't know timing or delicacy.
"Talk later, escape now! The Dogsians are destroying this place to mask them being here," Eris urged their rescuers to fulfill their duty. Another large explosion ramped up the heat and hurt Eris's ears. With a collapsing warehouse around them, the group found retreat the better option than standing around. Chiaka and Ayanami were quick to fall back to the embassy and the waiting smothering from both Misato and Kuune.
Durel had to force the concerned parental figures out of the makeshift recovery room, Durel was nice enough to leave both in the same room. Things got a little foggy when Durel put Eris under for observation and recovery.
Waking up an unknown time later, Eris felt wonderful physically. Sitting up she stretched and felt the light fabric rub against parts of her that sent that new thrill through her. "Guess Durel didn't administer the meds to end my…" Eris slowly looked over to see Shinji already awake and smiling at her sans his previous fluffy ears. "You woke up first. Anything happen while I was asleep?" Eris felt a little bashful.
"Not that I know. Only been awake for maybe ten minutes. I heard talking outside the door. They're fighting about how long to let us sleep before talking to us. Durel-san kicked them out of the embassy to the apartment to give us privacy. How are you feeling? I feel great," Shinji sounded good at least. He made a point to show Eris both sides of his face so she could see he didn't have any residual blemishes. The bed squeaked as Shinji got up and plopped down next to Eris, taking her hand in his.
Heat permeated her originating from that hand that held hers. "I'm fine physically. But I feel stupid. All that happened to us is my fault. Had I just taken my meds, I'd have easily taken out those stupid Assist-aroids. But I didn't…I wanted to be with you…wanted you to be…I should have taken my…" Eris would have continued her self abuse had Shinji not actually kissed her. It wasn't hard or even very long, but Eris's head was full of flowers.
"If I hadn't been so skittish, afraid, you'd not been suffering with it would you? I…I love you Eris, but I'm afraid you're going to leave. Figured…easier to let you go if we didn't…go to far. I have issues…always expecting things to leave me so I'm afraid to make attachments. But I do love you Eris-san, and if you ever do feel like you want to…you know…" Shinji ended his little confession with another chaste kiss.
Whelp he did offer right? He loved her, she loved him, and those soft lips on hers and those sweet words Eris's brain was frazzled. Later the pair would learn that the medication Durel used on both of them had a little stimulant, extra energy to help recover, they didn't find fault. Taking Shinji's head between her hands, she gently pushed him down. "You…mean it?" her tail flickered about. His blushing was intoxicating
"Y-yeah I do…are you?" Shinji's question went unanswered vocally. Eris heard enough, and when she nodded and he hugged her…well neither of them were reluctant. The fear of the last few days, followed by the relief of recovery and their own final confessions…well…neither were ready for just how it was going to feel and how much they enjoyed pampering the other. After a very long session, again thanks to Durel's little additive, the pair were rudely interrupted when Misato and Kuune entered to find them mid-coitus…they gave the pair thirty minutes to finish up and clean up before the formal debriefing began. Shinji never let go of her hand, and Eris's tail possessively wrapped around his waist. The future wasn't the golden dawn Eris was expecting with her promotion, but she was damn going to protect what she had!
X-X
Notes
Getting more of the plots all merging and coming into the light, and advancing the relationship stuff as well at a pace that feels acceptable for a race of cat people that literally go into heat
Have a good holiday season!
Later
Mercaba
edit – fixed a issue with duplication