Right, quick explanation as to where your glorious Emperor has been for the past few months. Essentially, my University workload intensified, and I found myself at "update day" without anything to really show for it as I'd been busy with Uni. This has had such a knock-on effect that all I can do is answer your questions. However, they may still provide quite a bit to chew on.

"If you are going to rename Tokyo-3 then you should look into mythology. That place is designed as the future battleground against the 'Gods', where humanities destiny will be decided. Given how heavily SEELE (or whatever name you will give them) relies on symbology a name like Hakone simply isn't cutting it."

Well, I have found a name from Japanese mythology that would make sense in a Post-Impact Japanese context. "Nakisawame," was born from the tears of the great Japanese father god Izanagi after his wife, Izanami, expired after giving birth to Kagutsuchi (essentially the Japanese fire god.) In short, from tears comes new life. For a capital city built in the aftermath of an apocalypse that claimed some seventy million Japanese lives, I find the name very fitting. The Holy Path would have absolutely no input on the naming of the city, as many Japanese would raise an eyebrow at their new capital city having any Christian or Western connotations.

"To your two questions and your wish to rename things. First off, change "Holy Path" into "HOLY PATH". This is SEELE we are talking about, the secret rulers of the world, deciders of humanities destiny, who will bring the Gods low and elevate themselves in their place. Whatever name they will have every letter has to be capitalized to satisfy their own ego, and I say that without any sarcasm, completely serious here.

Renaming Tokyo-3 is a good idea. Really who would choose a name like that. Neo-Tokyo I could get, but Tokyo-3 is like saying "yeah the first two didn't go so well but we are pretty sure this time we can get it right". There already is a japanese town with the name Hakone. Also I think following a cataclysmic event like Second Impact they would choose a name heavily rooted in mythology/religion. I don't have a example for you (I am not really versed in japanese mythology) but I would suggest looking in that direction. As for Asuka's name change I think you should go for it. Anna von Zeppelin fits her pretty well.

Liked the sample of the first chapter, definitely a good start. Shinji being a fan of Tolkien is also a nice touch. Wonder how that will change his outlook on things.

So the line of succession is based on the personal strengh of the Seraphim. Figured it most likely is something in that direction. I still hope you can make a family tree, I would like to know about that.

It is also good to know you will give the relationship between Shini and Rei the necessary attention. Their slowly evolving sibling relationship and Rei's opening up as consequence were among my favourite parts of this story. I don't quite see how you did a disservice to Gendo, but I am confident whatever you have planned for him will be good.

I wanted to ask what plans you have regarding A.I.'s in general and Caspar in particular. Also how widespread and powerful will A.I.'s be in SoE.

Until next time."

I have clearly not explained enough about the Holy Path if that is your belief. Here, their goal is not to "become" Gods but rather "reunite with God." They wish to undo original sin and return to the Garden of Eden, essentially. As utterly batshit insane and zealous as they are, the Holy Path are a deeply pious and committed organization, truly believing they are doing God's will. Thus, an all caps editing of their name wouldn't quite fit…doesn't stop them being demented, mass murdering maniacs though.

As for Tokyo-3's new name, that's already been detailed. Hopefully you'll all like it.

About Asuka's "renaming," I have received many responses from the different parts of the internet I post to. It's mixed to say the least, with both sides having a point. Thus, I've decided to "steer a middle course" so to speak. How does "Asuka von Zeppelin" sound to you?

Splendid. Although, quick admission time. Whilst this chapter will absolutely remain, it will not be the first chapter anymore. What happened was I did a classic Sovvy-chan and almost barrelled off before I was ready. Thankfully, I yanked the reigns and slowed down, realising there was still some more planning I needed to do. Writing will be commencing in earnest today in actuality, but for much of the past month I have been writing notes and reformatting them like a madman. Now, I have the basic framework (which still needs a bit more fleshing out. Outlining is not something one should rush) which I feel is vastly superior to what came before. Part of that is finding what I believe to be a better starting point, as in seeing Shinji's lonely life in Kure and him agonizing over his father's recently arrived letter.

Oh I'm thinking up genealogies for them, don't you worry. In the process of this, their language has been figured out a bit more which has led to one final name change. We've gone from Duarudh to Refaed now. Reason I chose this is in accordance with Seraphim mythology, as they believe they inherited the world from their Gods. Refaed means "inheritor." Refaedarn means "Inheritors." As you can tell, creating their tongue is rather fun to me.

Yes, that was something I wanted to do from the outset but I think the execution wasn't quite as good as it could have been. As for Gendo, I think I made him a little too evil and callous. Going to lend a bit more attention to the awkwardness between him and his son this time around.

AI are exceedingly rare, but mankind is only a few years off from them becoming more common. Caspar was built with the advanced technology of Nerv (seriously, from the scraps of Nerv London, the British manage to make primitive laser guns.) Caspar was a little too much comic relief in the original, which I believe is a disservice to her being "Levav Base's" (code name for Nerv Central) facility AI. More will be made of her duties and calculating ability with even a little hologram being made available for her. Also, her close ties to some of the Nerv staff will be explored. As for anymore AI? No, Caspar will be the only one of her kind for the time being.

Hopefully these answers are to your satisfaction.

"With Rei I mainly meant how she believes in and wants the instrumentality project."

Ah…glorious Sovvy-chan misunderstood again…wonderful. Worry not, that will absolutely remain as it's a rather key part of Rei's character.

To my deepest and greatest regret, that is all I have for now. However, I intend for things to get back on track with my Q and A updates soon enough. Until then, my dear readers.

Happy New Year!