Chapter 3: There is an invisible, formless thing that exists between people
In a dark and desolate alley, two figures hunched over a makeshift table... both cloaked in obscurity. The taller figure spoke, a clear masculine voice protruding the darkness that surrounded them.
"... You have the details now... in a week's time you will steal Royal Canidate Emilia's insignia. Eliminate any witnesses... especially a young man who will come for the badge. You'll know when you see him... Here is the first half of your payment..." the man reached into his pocket, pulling a hefty bag of holy gold coins.
"Thirty gold coins... ten for payment, twenty for resources... should you need them...," he finished. The man then pulled from his back a package. "... For the amount of risk this possesses for stealing from a candidate, here is a specialty cloak imbued in magical defenses and a slight concealment enchantment... consider it your true payment... I hope it will serve you well."
"...Ara... ara... are you trying to seduce me?" A sultry voice purred. The man grunted. "No matter, consider this done." the woman continued.
Both man and woman turned to leave from the deal. But before the woman could leave, the man spoke one final time.
"...If you should fail this assignment... Elsa... I will give you one more chance...", he proclaimed.
"...I have never failed." The woman hissed. "Have faith."
The man laughed. "What's faith to history already written?"
…
Glorious. It was the most fun she had had in ages. The look on his face, the taste of his blood. The fierceness he had shown in battle... Is this...?
Her heart beat. He was powerful. He fought like an animal. And his guts were exquisite. True, there had been no intestines there, but it was the fullness of his blood... the emptiness it presided in... it spoke to her. Its orange texture so...so luxurious on her hands. In her mouth. She would not forget this night. She would not forget him. Shinji Ikari... we WILL meet again... And I WILL have you again... Elsa giggled and blushed like a schoolgirl.
She had arrived at the hideout she had been stationed at, with her damaged body. The building was a beautiful two-story inn, lovingly named Mamma's House. It was in the upper echelons of the Kingdom of Lugnica. She had to sneak in the shadows as her arm regenerated. It was an undercover base for Mother's Little Helpers. She had a skip in her step and a smile that would make men swoon. She had opened her shared room and immediately jumped on her bed and squealed into her pillow, not only shocking the other tenant but also herself. Her heart was beating fast. She could not stop thinking of him. His boyish face twisted in fury, forever saved in her heart.
The other tenant finally made their way slowly over to Elsa, hesitantly. Giving the stunning woman a poke on the shoulder, Elsa finally turned her attention to the other occupant. It was a little girl staring worriedly into her face. The girl's yellow-green eyes gave a sense of concern, mixed with confusion and... apprehensive horror? Elsa paid further attention to her younger sister, Meili Portroute.
The girl had long dark-blue hair tied into a triple braid pony-tail that hung over her left shoulder and rested over her chest. Her age somewhere around twelve to fourteen and standing at four feet nine inches. She wore a cute pink nightgown. She had been prepared to bed for the night before Elsa had busted into the room with a look that made her slightly afraid. It was a familiar look.
"...Um... Are you okay, big sis?", she asked. Elsa proceeded to smile with such a look that Meili froze like a deer in the headlights.
"I'm in Love!" A face full of unadulterated adoration shouted.
Meili fainted...
...
Shinji felt his cheeks heat up from what he had heard.
He was surprised that, from that tale her fascination was on his SDAT and not his previous emotional outbreak.
Shinji rubbed his hands in his face, embarrassed by the admission of his music choice. Emilia giggled at his reaction. After sighing, Shinji looked to Emilia in confusion.
"So, wait, what happened after that?", he asked, noticing a slight frown that appeared on Emilia's face.
"Ah... Felt had reached to give me the pendant, when it... well," she grimaced." ...Reinhard decided to take Felt into custody for... her own sake." She struggled saying. It seemed there was something Shinji was missing, but he let it go for now.
Before the air turned coarse, Puck spoke up. "Ne ne, now don't forget about me!", he exclaimed. "I still owe you for saving my 'Lia! So, what can this Great Spirit give you in return?"
Shinji was surprised. "Anno... I don't need anything! I would have saved her regardless of everything going on!", he waved his hands furiously. Puck raised an eyebrow.
"You don't want a favor from me?", Puck asked in disbelief.
"I am just glad that everyone is okay. If... if it's fine with you, I'm not well acquainted with any of... well," Shinji paused raising his hands to his surroundings, "this place. Or the cultures around here. If you could, would you help me every now and then? I don't even know of the history of the Kingdom of Lugnica...", he trailed off sheepishly. Puck looked in deep thought, his chin resting on his paw cutely. Emilia surprised that Puck had not immediately answered.
"I tell you what, stick close to Emilia and help her out, and I'll give ya what I can. Although honestly, you would be better off with Betty." Puck said. Shinji facepalmed.
"Ah... about Beatrice... I might have accidently scared her...", Shinji admitted shamefully. Puck froze. A malicious aura started to gather.
"But again, it was an accident, she did something when she touched my stomach... and saw too much." He near whispered as Puck's glacier eyes calmed down some. Even Emilia was somewhat taken aback.
"If you could, could you go talk to her and make sure she's okay?" Shinji asked.
Puck looked thoughtfully; the boy's emotions were true. He was regretful of the instance. Puffing his chest, the spirit did an 'intimidating' pose. "I tell ya what, just this time I'll let it go since you are sorry... But," Puck leaned in to Shinji," remember what we talked about. I'll be watching you..." he whispered. Shinji paled, but nodded his head in agreement.
"Alright! 'Lia take care of this baka," Shinji flinched, "I have a Betty to save!" He shouted excitedly as he flew away. Emilia was dumbfounded.
"What happened with Beatrice?", she questioned Shinji.
"I'm not sure what she was trying to do, but she touched the edge of the entrance to my... well soul. I don't know what she was looking for though." Shinji responded. Emilia looked bewildered.
"You mean she touched your Magic Gate.", Emilia stated, now knowingly." I've heard from Puck that Beatrice will check on people's mana, occasionally, if they interest her. I don't know why she would do so however." She hummed. Then paused. "What do you mean the edge of your soul? You make it sound like the Gate is not a larger part of your soul?", Emilia questioned now intrigued. Afterall, he scared Beatrice from his Gate. He was also clearly not human. She saw that the other night.
Shinji seemed to crawl into himself. "I don't want to speak about it, please..."
Emilia receded and decided to talk on lighter subjects. While the boy may be a mystery, he was her friend now. And she had all the time in the world to get to know him. So, they continued to have a light and peaceful morning.
...
It seemed that the sun had reached mid-day, when both were interrupted by the blue-haired maid Rem.
"Ah Emilia-sama, Stray," Shinji flinched from the coldness," lunch is ready and Lord Roswaal is waiting in the dining room. He returned from the Capital a short while ago." Rem spoke dispassionately.
Putting her hands on her hips, Emilia spoke up, "Don't call Shinji that! He is a valued guest, not to mention," she blushed," my friend." She puffed up her chest. Which deflated when Shinji laughed.
"It's fine Emilia, I did not leave the best impression when we had met earlier," Shinji shyly scratched his chin," also I'm used to it."
"That's not something you should be used to...," She grumbled at his inaction to the disrespect.
"That said, I'm still sorry for the scare for earlier Rem-san," he apologized again.
Rem turned up her nose, but left well enough alone. She proceeded to escort Shinji and Emilia to the dining room. The walk was peaceful, if not silent. The hallways were lit with the bright sunlight streaming through. It was a beautiful day. Shinji decided to take in Rem's features again. He would have to get used to her appearance. It was too uncanny to Rei. The blue hair threw him off-center. Feeling his stare, Rem glared back.
Shinji darted his face in embarrassment for staring. "Sorry, you look like someone I used to know." He mumbled. Rem's glare intensified. Her suspicions roused to alert.
Before they could continue, they had reached the doors to the dining hall. It was an extravagant room, filled with the finest silverware and chinaware. Truly, it was too much to Shinji's tastes. The room alone probably could pay for more than half of Misato's 1970s Renault. Utterly wasteful.
"My... my, the young hero finally decides to make an appearance.", A voice spoke at the head of the table. The attention of the room focused solely on Shinji's entrance. Shinji glanced through the faces currently at the table. On his right, towards the end of the table sat Beatrice, who puffed up her slightly pale cheeks away from him. Puck dutifully serving to distract her in her hands. At the very end of the table, Ram straightened from bowing down to a man's ear. As he was about to view the man fully, Rem bumped him out of the way, rudely. Glaring at him she walked to stand on the other side of the man.
Rubbing his shoulder as Emilia proceeded to her seat on the tables left side, Shinji finally took in the man he intoned as Lord Roswaal. He had to do a doubletake. The man was dressed as a clown. Maybe... it's a cultural thing... Shinji thought. Nonetheless, he took the man in fully.
Roswaal was a striking individual. He had heterochromatic eyes; blue in his right, yellow in his left. Covering his face was pale make up with purple lipstick. Purple eyeshadow as well. His hair was indigo blue with a light blue streak on a pronounced bang on the right side of his face. Even sitting down Shinji could not help but notice that Roswaal was rather tall, at least six-foot one inch. He wore a purple cloak with a high collar; red on the inside. Under his cloak was a purple vest above a white long-sleeve shirt. His pants were purple as well. But what got his notice was the air around the man. Shinji could tell that while Roswaal may wear the costume, he was no fool. And there was something... off about the man.
"Anno... Thank you for welcoming me into your home.", Shinji bowed at the entrance. Roswaal smiled politely, and waved for him to sit to Roswaal's right. Upon sitting next to Emilia and directly in front of a petulant Beatrice, the maids served lunch. Politely eating with etiquette, expected from a noble no less, Shinji could not stop the moan of delight. It had been ages since he had decided to eat. The food was delicious. Chicken-pot-pie along with a Caesar salad, baked potato, and wonderful Earl Gray.
"Ha... So youuu like our resident cook's cooking, do you?", Roswaal asked. Shinji clearing his mouth of the gourmet spoke.
The 'young man' nodded his head, "It is a fine dish for sure. And it has been quite a time since I've had something so filling." He nodded. Then was startled. "My apologies, I have not even introduced myself. I was distracted by this lunch. I'm Ikari, Shinji. Last name first. Again, thank you for your graciousness towards me. I was quite surprised to find myself in your home this morning."
The man laughed. "Well, I do apologizzze. Emilia-sama here could not keep herself from bringing you home." Emilia squeaked. "I am Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers." He greeted.
Shinji looked confused. "Emilia-sama?", he questioned.
"Ah Yes. I guess I should explain. Recently, as you should know, the Kingdom of Lugnica has no heirs. Fifteen years ago, the royal family died from a strain of disease, leaving us with not buuuut the Kingdom Council." Shinji was surprised. Before he could interrupt, Roswaal continued.
"Of course, what this means is..."- Roswaal stopped, as Emilia interrupted.
"I am currently in the Forty-second ruler Candidacy for the Kingdom of Lugnica. With Margrave Mather's backing" she said. Shinji was incredibly surprised with his mouth open. He had never met a princess before.
"I did not know you were a princess, Emilia-hime." Shinji exclaimed. Emilia blushed furiously.
"Don't call me a princess please, Shinji!" She looked flustered. Shinji nodded in understanding. While it did not happen often, when he was the Third Child of Nerv, some technicians would approach him with slight trepidation. They were probably more afraid of the Commander than his status. Shinji frowned at that thought.
"I understand. We are friends, but if we are in a situation that calls for it, I will refer to you as Emilia-hime. You will have to present yourself accordingly to others..." He mumbled in thought, not noticing Emila's blush increase. Puck chuckled across the table, earning a slight glare to Shinji from Beatrice. She had been quite quiet during the luncheon.
Emilia then went on to explain further. "The insignia that you helped me recover is a part of the selection process, which is what Felt had stolen yesterday. You helped me recover it, whilst saving my life... Thank you." Her eyes seemed to glow with life and warmness as Shinji flushed with redness. She was truly sincere with innocence. She was breathtaking. Shinji looked away.
"Anno... no need for all that. I'm glad I could help..." he fiddled with his thumbs nervously. Beatrice scoffed.
"Oh, and how did you help, I suppose." Beatrice asked. She was holding Puck somewhat closer. Puck glanced at Beatrice. She continued. "You could say it was your fault that she got hurt as she did, what with how I had heard about you rampaging through the streets, I suppose."
Emilia looked shocked at the accusation. Shinji meanwhile slumped. She was right, if he had not gotten angry and lashed out, Emilia could have come out unscathed. Now she had a memory of her stomach being sliced open. Emilia was about to start shouting, her anger clearly visible.
Until Shinji, spoke up.
"You... you're right...It's my Fault" Tears started to tug in the corners of his eyes, surprising the ruffled Great Spirit and everyone else at the table. It was obvious the Spirit had stretched the truth. "I was... not in my right mind." Turning to Emilia, who saw his haunted look, he continued. "I left you and Reinhard in a terrible way. If... if I had controlled myself, you would have never gotten hurt..." He stood up, wiping his tears. "I'm sorry Emilia-hime... I'm going to excuse myself." He walked away silently, not listening to Emilia's protest.
Emilia's heated eyes turned to Beatrice's slightly guilty ones. "That was uncalled for. You will apologize to him." Beatrice bristled. Before she could retort, the cat spoke up.
"I'm disappointed Betty. You touched a very sore spot from what I can feel." Puck pulled himself out of her surprised grip. "I have to agree here with Emilia. I did not tell you this earlier, but I came to check on you because Shinji was worried he scared you." Beatrice looked even more dumbfounded.
"Bu-but he's too Big Bubby! You only felt it! I saw it! HE WAS TOO BIG!", she shouted. Everyone but Puck was confused. Puck nodded his head.
"And even so, he was worried. Actions define us. You were the one who tried to look into his Gate. Without even asking no less." Puck explained. Beatrice pouted whilst trembling. Then they were interrupted by Roswaal. A nervous Roswaal.
"Whhhaat doo you mean by too big, Beatrice?", the clown asked. All his years studying magic, he would listen when even a Great Spirit was shaking.
"His Presence eclipses the... the World!" Beatrice shouted. Everyone stiffened in the dining room. Even Puck paused. Beatrice continued. "It was like looking into the night sky, I suppose... Too big... He is dangerous..." She looked pale, just from remembering the incident. She had wanted to see if he was her they. She shivered. She wished for her mother to be here.
Her mother Echidna would know what to do. Thinking about it, Echidna would probably scold her, as well. Echidna was powerful and was always hungry for knowledge; although she had never been totally unkind to retrieve that knowledge. She would not approve of Betty's outburst and would have pestered the young man for everything he knew. Rubbing at her shoulders, she sighed as she stood up. While disliking the thought, and somewhat afraid, she rationalized what she had to do. Just like her mother told her. Logic first. After all, it was more out of the suddenness of it all. "I'll talk to him, I suppose." She huffed.
Oblivious to the now very alert room, she left to go find Shinji, and ,ugh, apologize. She was only slightly guilty. And also wanted Bubby's approval. Rem and Ram were frozen in shock from the sudden information. Emilia had stars in her eyes, but she would give the boy some space. Roswaal was stuck. He had not read of the boy's powers. What was being left out?
Puck glanced at them all, before continuing to eat from Betty's plate. Afterall, he knew that the boy did not want to cause any harm. Ram sneezed.
…
My fault...My Fault... It was all My FAULT. The Third Child was currently in a dilemma. He could not wash the thought away. Just like Earth, he still hurt people here. He should have realized. He should have fucking known! Stupid Fucking Baka Shinji... He thought. Of course, Emilia was hurt because of his actions. But it was worse than the time Sakura got hurt. Worse than when he crippled Toji. He actually saw her face. The pain. The horror of death in her eyes. Her blood and intestines billowing out into the road. And he could have done something about it! If only he had stayed calm! He wiped at his red eyes, the tears making them puffy.
He strode through the hallways going straight for his guest room to listen to his SDAT. He had promised himself that he would not escape into it. But so much had happened. And it was proven once again that not only was he a piece of trash, he was an oath breaker. He was a coward. He was a murderer. He was so much WORSE.
WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR?
He recoiled, almost tripping. He hurried faster.
He had made it to his guest room. He clenched his fists. He wanted to listen to the SDT. As he reached for it, he froze. He stood frozen for a few minutes. He could not do it. So, he sat on the bed and stared. He looked around the room that felt unfamiliar to him, and he decided he did not want to be here. It irritated him that he would be in such an extravagant room, but be the cause of Emilia's pain. He felt more hot tears run down his face.
He turned around to open the door, walked outside his room, only to find the entrance of Beatrice's Library. Confused to see Beatrice waiting, he mumbled a half-hearted apology before turning again to leave.
"Wait, I suppose." The small girl grumbled. Shinji did not try to listen and instead went to the door. He did not want to be here. He tried to open the door only to feel it was locked Shinji paused. He looked back at the girl in his blurry eyes, and he realized he was stuck here until she wanted him out. "What do you want?", he sniffled.
Beatrice looked at him. As old as he most likely was, he was still crying like the boy he looked like. She huffed. Best to rip the medical-tape off.
"Betty is sorry. She did not mean what she said, I suppose." She hugged her shoulders. "Betty was... afraid." Shinji looked at her. She continued. "Betty saw IT, and its size scared her. It is immense..." She frowned. "Betty wanted to bring you down to the ground, because of how much power you held. It frightened...me."
Shinji stared at her, wiping his eyes. "Even if you did not mean it. What you said was true." Beatrice shook her head in the negative. "I am still the same little boy, who hurts those around him."
"That's not what that elf or Bubby sees." She spoke. Shinji froze. Beatrice fidgeted in place. This was awkward, they were objectively strangers. Why did she feel like she knew him?
"Bubby, despite his cute fluffy-ness, is very wise. I trust every word he says. He has never let me down. If his instincts tell him to judge you based on what you have done, then he would have attacked you in the beginning, when Emilia was in danger. While I don't necessarily like Emilia, she has tried to defend you. I suppose." Beatrice looked thoughtfully. "You could have continued after that monster to hunt her down but you did not. Instead, you decided to help the half-elf." Shinji shook his head.
"She still got hurt because of me not being level-headed." He protested. Beatrice grew annoyed.
"Bubby had to leave; Emilia should not have fought against her in the first place. And if you were not there, Emilia would be dead. I suppose." She crossed her arms.
"Reinhard was there. He could have helped. "Shinji denied.
"Reinhard was only there, most likely because of you. Bubby did say that he felt you... spike up. He said it was powerful. Reinhard would not have known. Emilia would not have gone to the guards." She looked deep into his eyes shyly. "Betty does not believe in what ifs, anyway." Shinji huffed, he was irritated and had no way to argue against that. That did not mean he believed it though. The heart wants what the heart wants. Even damnation.
"Fine, we'll agree to disagree." Beatrice was stunned. Was this man really that dense...?
"NO, No Betty WILL NOT AGREE TO DISAGREE!" She un-crossed her arms shouting. This stubborn brat. Here she was trying to apologize to him and CHEER HIM UP, AND HE WOULD NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! HAD HE LOST HIS MIND AGAINST HER SOUND LOGIC! WHAT NONSENSE!
Slowly, Beatrice stalked towards Shinji. Shinji now realized he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, as he tried to open the locked door. Beatrice got eye to eye, with the suddenly nervous Third Child. She could see his apprehension and slowly growing flustered appearance. She poked his chest. Hard. Shinji made a grunt as his back hit the door softly. Growling the girl spoke heatedly. A line of questioning that would hit close to home. That would make her shudder.
"Are you questioning my intelligence...?" Shinji rapidly shook his head no. "Are you calling Bubby a liar...?" Again, Shinji shook his head no. "Do you hate them...?"
"NO!", Shinji said loudly. He was tired of all this talk. He wanted to go curl up in a hole and die. He was in no mood for this. Before he could force his way through the door, the girl stopped him.
"Do you hate yourself...?" His eyes met hers, and she knew. The door opened and he left quickly and agitatedly. Ah... so he was like her... "Baka..."
…
Shinji stormed through the manor. He needed to do something or else he would go crazy. He stopped in front of a random door. He needed to be alone... so he had trudged through towards the far side of the massive complex. He opened the door and discovered a music room. Instruments littered the entire place. Some familiar, some not so much. But in the back, he saw it. It was then he decided that is what he needed.
He reached forward, grasping the dusted handle. It had beautiful craftsmanship. It's brown rich Mahagony wood covered in a layer of dust. Swiping his hand over the instrument the dust dissipated, which caused a grunt out of Shinji. After that brief bit of emotional outburst earlier, he realized just how shot his energy was. He could barely manifest the AT-Field to clean the musical item. All of it was constrained at the moment. Stopping whatever had caused time to rewind had put a major strain on his connection to the Sea of Souls. He needed to rest. He sighed as he glanced down towards his occupied hands.
Within them now was an immaculate cello. Looking at it brought him a brief bout of pride. He could at least say his skills in playing the cello were of his own merits instead of his well of memories. He picked the strings, slowly tuning the cello. And then he played.
Line after line of Bach's Cello Suite Number One- Prelude- sounded off the walls and through the somewhat haunted hallways. The light from the sun dimming in the background of the room cast Shinji in a solemn light. Advancing through to the next suite, he continued. The music was lovely.
Unbeknownst to said boy, a maid was listening into the music. She had been ordered by the Lord of the estate to keep watch over the mysterious threat they assumed. She closed her eyes taking in the alien song. She had never been with her master to an orchestra performance. She had never even heard music play from this room in all her years as a maid. There had been festivals and traveling bards throughout Irlam Village and even the Kingdom City of Lugnica. A sense of calm only her sister could produce to the maid fell over her shoulders.
She hadn't even noticed that she was closer to the crack of the doorway to view in, until she saw him. She paused. He was concentrating with each stroke. In total peace. She sat kneeled low to the door listening. Eyes on his form. Never once moving from her spot. A tug at her heart. She grimaced. She felt disgusted at the thought... still... she was ordered to keep watch of him. To make sure he was not a threat.
Shinji continued to play the cello for an hour, playing various songs, before deciding to call it quits. He wiped his forehead of non-existent sweat, and started to head out of the music room. He paused as he heard something scurry from the door that he just saw was cracked open. Curious, he peaked his head into the hallway. He saw a brief flash of black skirt dart around a corner. He was sure... no... never mind.
Shinji left the room slightly reinvigorated. Clutching his SDAT player he walked towards his room. He walked the long hallway until stopping outside his room. Maybe... Just a short rest will do him well...
A.N. Ya, I had started on this chapter right after finishing the last. But, life. Lol. Lmao even.
