Standard disclaimers apply. See prologue for details.
The Legend of Lord Susano-o
Chapter 2 – Pilots Take the Stage
By Brishen1066
Surprisingly enough, Asuka did not even ask about Shinji's meeting with Mana. He knew word would get out as soon as he showed up at the audition today, but he simply didn't have the courage to tell Asuka. He knew he wouldn't be so fortunate, however, when it came to his friends Touji and Kensuke.
"So what happened, huh?" Touji asked. "Did you kiss her? Or maybe she let you touch her, eh? I'd rather try my hands at her friend Shima, but you take what you get. Anyway, spill, man! What happened?"
"Nothing like that happened," he answered. "I wonder how many others are thinking the same thing, though." "She just needed a favor is all."
"Oh, I see…a favor. You mean, she asked you to go…down there? So did you?" Touji asked with unabashed excitement.
"Of course he didn't," Kensuke levelly answered. "And Mana didn't ask. Shinji just said nothing happened."
"Ok, first of all, just because you use her first name in your fantasies doesn't mean you can go sayin' it out loud like that," Touji quipped. "And you know something happened—why else would the girl ask him to meet her after school?"
"Look, guys," Shinji started, "I think she meant for me to keep what she said secret. I'm sorry. I can tell you tomorrow, though."
Eventually, the focus of the discussion turned from Shinji's meeting to the latest movie release. Naturally, that topic led to the boys' favorite topic—girls. With an inward sigh, Shinji opened his computer and prepared himself for another boring, useless day of propagandizing.
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Shinji leaned against the wall of the auditorium, waiting for things to get started. About ten or fifteen people had shown up for the audition, and they were all grouped together talking—probably about him, Shinji figured. Shortly, Mana entered the auditorium, along with Akiko Shima and Masashi Yamaguchi. Standing in front of the stage, she called the group to order.
"May I have your attention, please? I'm Mana Kirishima, president of the drama club. These," she said, gesturing to her two friends, "are my fellow members, Akiko Shima and Masashi Yamaguchi. They'll be helping with the audition today. If you'll all come grab a copy of the script, I'll explain how this is going to work."
The group of potential thespians lined up to receive a copy of the script from Akiko. Shinji quietly slipped up to the back of the line, wordlessly received his script, and slipped back away from the main cluster of students.
"Ok, you're each going to perform a single scene," Mana explained. "The scene you'll be performing is on page 57, if you want to take some time to read it and get a feel for it. There are only two characters in this scene—Susano-o and Amaterasu. You'll play the appropriate character, depending on your gender, and Akiko or Masashi will take the other character. Take a few minutes to read the scene, and we'll get started."
Taking a seat and opening his script to the appropriate page, Shinji started to read over the scene. The scene was between Susano-o and his sister, the sun goddess Amaterasu. Reading the scene, Shinji deciphered what was happening. Susano-o was angry after being disciplined by his father, Izanagi. In this scene, he was discussing his 'undeserved' punishment with his sister, who was trying to soothe his anger.
"So," Shinji thought to himself, "I have to be angry in this scene. Yelling and acting out of anger could be a bit difficult, but I think I can do it. Besides, everyone else will be doing the same thing… I'll just see how the others do it, I guess."
Although he was not perfectly comfortable with performing on stage, he wasn't approaching nervous breakdown either. After a few minutes, Mana called for someone to volunteer to go first. One of the girls in the group of students stood up and took the stage along with Masashi.
"Good…I can see an experienced actor like Masashi do the scene," Shinji thought. "Maybe this won't be too bad."
"Ikari?"
"But I've been wrong before…"
Rei Ayanami was standing beside Shinji's chair, patiently waiting for him to acknowledge her. More than curious, he stood up to see what she wanted. "Ayanami? Did you need something?"
"I was asked to tell you that we have a synchronization test this afternoon."
"Oh…I'm kinda busy here, but I guess I don't have much choice, huh?"
"Your duty at NERV is more important than what you are doing here. However, you have two hours before the test."
"Oh…I see. I guess I'll see you there, then, as soon as I finish here," Shinji replied.
As Shinji and Rei wrapped up their discussion, Mana watched the audition with silent irritation. "This is pathetic… I know it's just an audition, but these people don't even seem to be interested. Ikari shouldn't have anything to be worried about—there's no way he could perform worse than these guys!" Turning to check Shinji's condition, Mana was surprised to see Rei speaking with him. After a brief and awkward conversation, Rei walked toward the back of the auditorium, presumably to go out the back doors and leave. "I guess I might as well give Ikari his shot."
After Rei had left, Shinji noticed Mana privately whispering to Akiko. After their brief exchange, Akiko walked briskly out the auditorium doors. "I guess she forgot something," Shinji figured.
"Ikari, are you ready?"
"No, I'd rather crawl into a hole and die, thanks," Shinji thought. But outwardly, he showed a weak smile and stood from his chair. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
"Ok then, that's great," Mana answered happily. "I'm really glad you're here—the talent pool around here is pretty dry," she whispered.
As they both walked toward the stage, a slight movement in the corner of his eye caught Shinji's attention. Standing in the back of the auditorium was his fellow pilot, Rei. If he was nervous before, he was absolutely terrified now. "Um, Miss Kirishima…? I, um…well," Shinji stuttered. Patiently, Mana waited for him to organize his thoughts. "I just…I don't know if I can do this."
Forcing down the cry of frustration that was building inside her, Mana took a calming breath. "Ok, Ikari, just relax…you're not going to do anything you aren't willing to do. Why don't you wait until the others are gone, ok? We'll do some scenes just the two of us, to help you work through this, ok?"
"I'm really sorry, Miss Kirishima… I really wanted to help…"
"It's ok, Ikari…just sit down and watch the rest of the audition. We'll work on it when everyone's gone, ok?"
"Yeah, thanks…," he dejectedly answered. After shuffling back to his seat, he collapsed into it, humiliated. He didn't open his script again, nor did he pay attention to the other people auditioning. "Why am I here? I just wish this would end…"
He didn't notice Rei until near the end of the audition, when she finally spoke. "If you are not going to audition, why do you remain here?"
"Huh? Ayanami? Why are you still here?"
"Our tests cannot begin until all three pilots arrive. There is no purpose in going to NERV if you will not come as well."
"Oh… I'll be done here soon. You can go ahead if you want. I won't be late."
Silently, Rei kept her seat next to Shinji until the last person was done auditioning. Mana thanked them all for coming, and reminded them that auditions will last all week. Once the others had left, Mana walked over to Shinji.
"So, are you ready to give it a shot, Ikari?"
Silently, Shinji considered his options. "I can't let Miss Kirishima down after promising to help her…but…damn it, there's no way I can do this with Ayanami watching!"
Sensing his hesitance, Rei made her opinion known. "If you do not make your choice, we will be late for our tests. Does my presence make it more difficult for you, Ikari?"
Shinji was shocked by her perceptive analysis. "Well…yes, some. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble, Miss Kirishima."
"Don't worry about it, Ikari. It's my fault—I asked you to do this, even though you didn't want to. You two obviously have somewhere to be anyway," she said in a comforting tone. "Go ahead and do what you have to do—it isn't your responsibility to save everyone, after all."
"Yeah…I guess so. I'm really sorry about this," Shinji muttered. As he was walking away, Rei spoke up again.
"If I perform the scene with you, you should have no cause for discomfort."
Incredulously, Shinji looked back at Rei. "Is she serious? Ayanami? Acting? No way…" Before he had a chance to answer, however, Mana voiced her opinion.
"That's a great idea, Rei! Here, the scene is on page 57—you'll be playing the part of Amaterasu, ok? Great!" Mana was positively overjoyed. Having two pilots on stage—the two most unlikely pilots—was more than she could ever have hoped for.
After opening the script to the appropriate page, Rei silently ascended the steps onto the stage. Pale and lightheaded, Shinji followed her. "Why does it feel like I'm climbing the gallows?" Shinji wondered as he walked up the steps.
Turning to face Shinji, Rei read the first of her lines. "What's wrong, brother?"
"Wow, she's…totally different," Shinji noted. Her voice came out smoothly—not stiffly as he was accustomed. Also, he was sure she had never used a contraction before. Somewhat inspired by her radical change, Shinji let his voice deepen and carry slightly, and tried to let himself feel the anger Susano-o was feeling. "Father has gone too far this time, sister!"
Sighing, 'Amaterasu,' asked her brother, "What have you done this time, brother?"
With a cry of frustration, 'Susano-o' replied, "Why must you always assume that it's my fault? Father has threatened to banish me from this place, my very home! He has no right!"
"Brother, you know that Father will not continue to show such leniency. One stroke of his halberd would destroy even you."
As the scene progressed, Mana was amazed. "It's like they've become totally different people. I never dreamed that Ikari would be able to perform this well, and I certainly never imagined Ayanami having talent on stage."
Only a moment after the scene ended, however, both pilots reverted back to their former selves. The slump in Shinji's shoulders returned, as did Rei's stiff posture and carefully-controlled blank expression.
"That was amazing, you two!" Mana was absolutely elated. Amazingly enough, the two pilots were the best talent she had seen out of all the people to audition. "Wow, Ikari, I guess we won't have to worry about showing you favor in casting after all," Mana said with a wink.
Blushing, Shinji nervously thanked her. Rei's reaction was considerably more subdued, however. "We have to leave now, Ikari."
"Oh…yeah. I guess I'll see you later then, Miss Kirishima. We have to go," Shinji said.
"That's ok, Ikari, I have to go meet someone anyway. Thank you so much for doing this. You too, Rei. If you'd like, please come back tomorrow—you both performed really well."
Shinji modestly thanked her again. Rei said nothing. Shinji knew they had delayed as much as possible, though, and had to get going. "I'll be back tomorrow, then. Thanks a lot, Miss Kirishima."
"Sure. Go get to work then. And please, drop the 'Miss,' will you? We're friends now, right?" she asked with a smile.
"Um…yeah," Shinji blushed. "Anyway…I'll see you tomorrow, Kirishima. Bye."
"Bye Ikari."
With that, Shinji and Rei made their way out of the auditorium, not wanting to be late for another exciting sync test. A moment after they left, another man entered the auditorium from behind the stage.
"Oh, hey there! I was wondering where you were," she happily said to the man.
"Well, I had to lay low until they were gone—I wouldn't want to ruin the operation." The man smirked, and the light of the setting sun streamed through the windows along the top of the auditorium, glinting off the man's glasses.
"Well, your commander would be proud. I'm a little impressed too," she said with a smirk matching that of her company.
"You're not giving Shinji the wrong idea are you, Mana? The way you glomped him in class yesterday may have him confused a bit."
"Oh, come on…he's just a really likeable guy. You know him better than I do, so you should know."
"Yeah, he's a good guy," the man replied. "Anyway, let's get going, ok?" With that, the two exited the auditorium together.
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Author's notes: Chapter 2 down, and probably quite a few more. Not much to say about this chapter, other than, "who was that guy at the end?" Well, find out in later chapters!