-1The Music of the Night
The Third Movement
Several weeks had passed since the parts had been passed out and things were moving slowly. Mr. Sakamoto wanted to make sure that everyone had the singing parts down pat before they even attempted to take to the stage. The three pilots worked even harder on their parts, seeing how there were times when they had to cut the class short to attend synch and harmonics tests at NERV.
Shinji finally broke down and bought himself a MP3 player for use within the test and entry plugs, much to Dr. Akagi's annoyance. The first time Shinji did it, Asuka and Rei both looked at him like he was crazy as he sealed it within a waterproof bag and carried it into the plug. The results, however, threw everyone for a loop.
"This is incredible!" Dr. Akagi exclaimed as her jaw dropped as she peered at the screen. Maya's jaw soon joined hers.
"What? What's incredible?" Misato asked, somewhat worried that something may have affected the Children in an adverse way.
"This!" Ritsuko exclaimed as she pointed to the monitor. Misato peeked over Maya's shoulder and gasped.
"Holy shit! Shinji's synch level jumped from seventy-three percent to ninety-five percent?! How the hell did that happen?" Misato barked, very perplexed.
"Unknown," Maya replied with uncertainty, "the only thing that was different from previous tests is that little bag Shinji took with him."
"His new MP3 player?" Misato asked. "Is there something with the player that did it? Or was it the music?"
"Hmm, it might be the music. With an artistic type like Shinji, I'm really not surprised. The music may have allowed him to drop into a deeper, meditative state. Didn't you mention something the other day about Shinji being in a play or musical of some sort?" Ritsuko wondered.
"Yeah, The Phantom of the Opera, or something like that," Misato replied as Maya gasped and turned quickly to face the Major.
"What? Really? What part?" the young tech asked eagerly. Ritsuko and Misato both cocked an eyebrow at the reaction.
"The Phantom, I think," Misato answered. Maya smiled knowingly and nodded. "Why?"
"Ah, that's about right! The part of Eric seems to fit Shinji perfectly!" Maya said, dreamy-eyed.
"Aww! Does Maya have a crush on our little Shinji? You naughty cradle-robber, you!" Misato teased as Maya turned ten shades of red.
"N-n-n-no! It's not like that!" Maya stammered as the two older women began to snicker. "I've always loved that musical! It just seems like a tragic character like Erik would fit Shinji like a glove!"
"Yes, I see what you mean. Shinji does seem the type, doesn't he?" Ritsuko agreed. Misato looked at the two of them, angrily.
"Does everyone know about this damn play but me?" Misato grumbled as Ritsuko turned back to her.
"Well, we did cover it back in college, but that was the week you and Kaji…"
"ACK! Alright! Alright! No need to drag that back out!" Misato screeched while Ritsuko and Maya backed away from the very agitated Major.
"Okay, kids! You can get out now. Good job, everybody," Ritsuko said over the mike as she turned away from Misato. "When you're done with your showers, come on up so we can discus your scores."
"Yes ma'am," all three chimed in unison, not sounding very thrilled as they climbed out and headed for the locker rooms.
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Asuka was in a bit of inner turmoil, much to her chagrin. She had done her best to avoid Shinji as much as possible after her reaction during his audition. Of course, it didn't help much that they lived together, worked together, and went to school together.
Seeing Shinji wasn't the real problem, nor was talking to him (or in her case: shouting at him), the problem started whenever he would sing, which was becoming quite often as he worked hard to better his performance. It wouldn't matter if he was singing in the kitchen as he prepared dinner, or in the shower, or in his room as he was getting ready for bed. His voice would gently waft throughout the apartment and quietly sneak up on the walls around her heart. It would chip away at the foundation of her fortress, and no matter where she was or what she was doing, she would lean back and close her eyes. She would feel like she was floating in the air, her body bolstered by the sweet notes that would surround her and keep her from falling into the pit of despair that always seemed to threaten her existence.
"Pilot Soryu, are you well?" Rei asked as she looked at the redheaded girl who shared the locker room with her. Asuka startled, then shook her head and turned to look at her fellow pilot.
"Huh? Yeah? Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be, Wondergirl?" Asuka fumed as she turned to glare at the blue-haired girl. Rei's expression never wavered from its normal, neutral tone. "Why do you ask, huh?"
"I was merely concerned. You were beginning to get ready to shower when your face went blank," Rei explained as she glanced down. Asuka's eyes followed and she saw that she had stopped halfway from removing her plugsuit. She had already removed the upper portion of her suit and was working on the rest when she had zoned out. As it stood now, she was nude from the waist up. Quickly, she covered her breasts up with the front part of the suit and held it in place with her crossed arms. She shot a dangerous glare at the First Child.
"Why don't you take a picture, Rei?! What are you, some sort of per…vert…." Asuka's tirade stopped as she heard the showers start and the familiar notes beginning to drift through the locker room.
"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation!"
"Oh god! Not now! Why that song now?" Asuka thought desperately as she felt the notes begin their gentle assault on her heart. She felt a blush start to rise from her toes and slowly make it's way to her face. Soon, her exposed flesh was almost as red as the plugsuit she was half wearing. Her eyes closed as her heart rate began to rise. She began to sway unconsciously to the music as she felt herself rise from her body and float through the air, allowing each note to gently caress her. It filled her with a peace and a warmth that she hadn't felt since long before her mother had passed away.
Asuka continued to float with the music until she noticed a bright point of light that seemed to be shining from deep within herself. As the song progressed, the light grew brighter and brighter as her heart raced faster. Soon, the light was brighter than the sun and her heart raced faster than any other time in her short life, even faster than when she was in battle. As the song grew in it's intensity and reached it's climax, the light exploded so brightly that she feared that she would go blind, but she was unable to turn away. Much like a moth being lured to a flame.
With a loud gasp, Asuka opened her eyes as the music, the ever so sweet music, came to an end as the sound of the showers ceased. Breathing heavily, she glanced around desperately and saw Rei standing stock still, her eyes closed and a slight blush caressing her cheeks.
"Wow, that was…," Asuka began, but was unable to find the words to adequately describe what she felt.
"Nice," Rei concluded, to which Asuka could only agree. Shaking her head, Asuka quickly moved to remove her plugsuit, which was now quite damp. She rushed to the shower as faster as her legs could take her.
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"Okay, folks, since this is our first stage rehearsal, let's take things a little slowly so we can get used to it," Mr. Sakamoto said to the class as he started to call students forward to give the instructions on where and how to move, where to take their marks, and when and how certain prop and scene changes would take place.
"Excuse me, Mr. Sakamoto, but is it really necessary for us to be wearing our costumes already?" Asuka complained as she looked down at the flowing dressing gown she was wearing over her own school uniform. She glanced over at Shinji, who looked very nice in the vest, coat, cape, and mask that made up most of the Phantom's costume. Quickly, she turned away from Shinji and focused back on her teacher, a move that went unnoticed by most everyone except their teacher.
"Yes, Ms. Soryu, it is necessary. It helps to create the feel of the story. You need to get used to the costumes, because if we wait until later it will take more time to get used to it all being together. Besides, this isn't even the entire costume. It's just there to get you used to it. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, sir," Asuka grumbled as she crossed her arms, clearly not very happy. She glanced back at Shinji and shot him a dirty look for failing to back her up. Mr. Sakamoto grinned, knowing that Asuka would gladly wear this when she saw what the real costume would look like later.
"Now, let's start from the scene in the Phantom's lair, since that's the only set we have anywhere close to being finished," Mr. Sakamoto remarked as he went up to the stage and set Shinji and Asuka on their beginning marks. He walked them through the scene, which came straight from the film, much to Shinji's relief. Even though he loved the musical, he had never had the chance to see it on stage. The movements were already locked into his mind.
"Alright, let's begin! And please, Ms. Soryu, Mr. Ikari is going to have to touch you during this scene, but it is nothing dirty or perverted! So please, for God's sake, don't kill your husband!" A loud growl escaped Asuka's throat as she shot daggers into the teacher, who was laughing heartily as he walked off the stage.
"Why the hell didn't you say anything, you idiot?" she seethed as she and Shinji took their starting places.
"Like what?" he shot back as he reached out to take her hand to begin the scene. She rolled her eyes in disgust as she gave him her hand. "Just don't hurt me, please?" Asuka snorted and grinned savagely as the music started. Her grin quickly vanished and her eyes grew wide as he began to sing.
"You have come here,
"For one purpose, and one alone!
"Since the moment I first heard you sing,
"I have needed you with me,
"To serve me, to sing!
"For my music! My music!
Shinji lead Asuka across the stage by the hand until they reached the next mark, as the music began for Shinji's big solo. He moved behind Asuka as the now rather familiar notes began to resonate throughout the auditorium.
"Night time sharpens…."
"Not now, not now, not now…" Asuka thought but it was too late as her eyes glazed over. Shinji's voice, which was hypnotic from a distance, was completely spellbinding as it resonated from right behind her. She sighed contently as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her toward him as he began to move rhythmically to the music.
"Touch me! Trust me!…"
Asuka closed her eyes and leaned back into Shinji, leaning her head back onto his shoulder as her hand came up automatically and caressed his face. Shinji wrapped his arms around her as she melted into him. He played his hands over her stomach and caressed her gently, never gong too high or too low, but lovingly and erotically enough that it sent waves of ecstasy throughout her being.
Shinji was lost in his performance as the world melted away, leaving only himself and the young German he was singing to. Living the words that he sang, he begged her to leave the cold, harsh world she lived in and come and embrace the life he was offering her. He poured his all into the words, and he could tell it was having the desired effect. He could feel her defenses dropping as she slowly gave in to the emotions he laid out.
Finally, Shinji lead Asuka to the large mirror that occupied a corner of the set as the song began to reach it's climax. Opening her eyes, Asuka was shocked to see a version of herself clad in a wedding gown and veil. It didn't take too much acting for her to fake a faint as Shinji caught her and carried her over to the bed that sat next to the mirror. Ever so gently, he laid her there as he continued to sing.
"You, alone, can make my song take flight!"
"Help me make the Music of the Night!"
Shinji sang as he pulled the silken cord that hung from the top of the bed, causing a black lace curtain that surrounded the bed to fall and conceal Asuka from everyone's sight. She melted into the bed as his voice resonated all around her. Her heart was beating wildly as unbidden thoughts began to crash through her brain.
"No! No! Goddamn it, Asuka! Get a grip, will you? It's only stupid Shinji and his stupid song!" she scolded herself as she heard applause break out from the class.
"Bravo! Great job, you two!" Mr. Sakamoto exclaimed as he approached the stage. "It seems you've finally gotten into the music, Ms. Soryu!"
"Uh…thank you," she replied as she sat up on the bed, looking rather flushed.
"You and Mr. Ikari have wonderful chemistry together, I knew it was a great idea to team you two up!" the teacher beamed as Asuka inwardly cringed and hoped the class would end for the day.
That was when she noticed a gaggle of girls flocking around Shinji as he stood on the stage with his costume still on. They kept fawning over him, which appeared to make the young pilot very nervous. He glanced over at Asuka, who crossed her arms and turned her head away, making a very loud 'humph!' sound, Unfortunately for Shinji, Asuka wasn't the only one who noticed, as a dark haired young man seethed as he watched from the wings.
"Alright folks, let's change up the sets and get ready for Mr. Hanzo and Ms. Soryu's duet on the rooftop," Mr. Sakamoto said, and a little while later, the stage was set. Omi had a hungry gleam in his eyes as the thought of getting his hands on the unattainable Asuka Soryu ran through his twisted little mind. Asuka noticed this and began to get very angry when the final bell of the day rang as the students rushed to leave.
"We start first thing in class tomorrow, so everyone come in ready to go. Mr. Hanzo, Ms. Soryu, Mr. Ikari I want you to go over your parts tonight. Watch the film again if you must, but be ready for tomorrow!" the teacher called out to the retreating students as Omi made his way to Asuka.
"Hey, Soryu! How would you like the honor of spending the evening with me to work on our lines? I guarantee you would enjoy it!" Omi said smoothly as he leered at the young German. Asuka crossed her arms and snorted.
"I've got better things to do tonight, thank you very much!" she replied derisively as she turned her back on the suave young man. He quickly reached out and grabbed her arm, not knowing what kind of danger he was in for such an action. He wasn't going to allow his prey to escape so easily, however.
"Come on, Soryu! You know you want to! What could be better than spending the evening with me?" he asked with a shark's grin sliding into place. The grin quickly vanished as she grabbed his wrist and spun him around in an arm bar.
"Oh, I don't know? Watching TV, talking to my friends, taking a bath, grooming my penguin, painting my nails, washing my hair, you know, stuff like that! Hell, I'd rather spend the evening with Shinji than sit around and stroke your…ego…as small as it is!" she spat back at him, loud enough for the rest of the class to hear. Asuka was pleased to see the anger in his eyes as several people in the class began to laugh. Releasing her grip on his arm, she marched over to Shinji.
"Come on, idiot! It's time to get home!" she called out loudly over her shoulder as she grabbed the Third Child's arm and dragged him away from the crowd of girls amidst a chorus of protests. She could feel the daggers Omi and the girls shot in their direction.
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About a block down the street, Asuka let go of Shinji's arms and let out a little laugh. Shinji turned and looked at her, confused as to why she was laughing, and missing the touch of her hand on his arm.
"What's so funny, Asuka?" Shinji asked as he and Asuka continued to walk toward their apartment.
"Watching Omi actually try his same old lines on me like I was one of those little airheads that hang around him!" she snorted, shaking her head. "It was like watching all those girls standing around, fawning over you!"
"Just what the hell do you mean by that?" Shinji shot back defensively. While he wasn't interested in any of those girls, the attention they had lavished upon him had made him feel good.
"Oh, come on! You really don't think that those girls actually like you, do you?" she sniped as she cut her eyes to the side, watching him.
"Uh, well," he began to mumble as he felt her words slam against his AT field like a meteor. Asuka began to giggle again.
"Ach! Gott! You really did, didn't you?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide in astonishment. "Look, idiot, the only reason those girls were hanging around you is because you're the lead in the play! Geeze! Most of those little tarts are the same ones that hang all over Omi!"
"Some of them said they like my singing," he replied in his defense. Asuka blanched as she thought about his singing, but quickly covered it without missing a beat.
"Okay, I admit that you're a decent singer, but nothing hot enough for all those girls to cream their jeans over! I'm telling you, it's just because you're the lead. They never showed any interest in you before, did they?"
"No," he mumbled as her words hit him dead center, causing major damage to his AT field. Shinji felt the cold darkness of sadness and depression beginning to creep up on him.
"See, that proves my point!" Asuka smirked, oblivious to the damage she had just caused. "Like anyone would have anything to do with you, anyway." It was a direct hit that shattered his AT field.
"Yeah, you're probably right," he muttered sadly. Something in his tone cut Asuka somewhat. She could feel the hurt in his heart and reacted automatically, despite her normal attitude.
"Come on, Shinji, you don't want to be around people like that! The moment you need them the most, or the moment you're not the next big thing, they'll drop you like a hot rock! Trust me, I know," she said, looking to see if her words were having any effect. It was too late, for she had already done her job well and Shinji was now in a serious funk. Sighing loudly, Asuka followed Shinji into their apartment building and made their way upstairs.
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After fixing dinner, Shinji locked himself in his room and began to work on his homework, including the musical. Asuka looked somewhat down herself, which threw Misato for a loop.
"So, Asuka, what's up?" the lavender-haired Major asked as she sipped her beer. She studied her young charge as Asuka's eyes suddenly focused on her.
"What are you talking about?" Asuka retorted as she tossed her head, causing her red hair to fly.
"What's going on between you and Shinji?" Misato asked. "Lover's spat?" Asuka almost choked on her soda, causing her guardian to start to giggle.
"MISATO!! AS IF!!" Asuka yelled, making Misato cringe as she laughed.
"Okay! Geeze! But really, what's going on?" Misato asked once more. Asuka screwed up her face before answering.
"Oh, Shinji's just upset! There were these little tarts hanging around him after class, and I had to tell the idiot that they really didn't like him. They were only hanging around him because he's the lead in the musical," Asuka replied dismissively.
"So you told Shinji those girls were just using him?" Misato crossed her arms and glared at the young redhead. "Hmm, I wonder why he's upset?"
"Come on, Misato! He's just too sensitive, that's all! Besides, he doesn't need little tramps like that hanging all over him! If you think he's upset now, imagine how he'll feel when they all abandon him! He doesn't need that!" Asuka barked. Misato's eyebrows shot up some.
"Oh, so you DO care about how Shinji feels, huh?" Asuka realized her mistake and quickly moved to cover it.
"Pfft! It's not that! I have to live with him, work with him, and go to school with him, and I don't want to have to hear him whine about it when it happens! That would drive me nuts!"
"You don't have to worry about it, Asuka. I'll stay quiet," Shinji said softly as he walked into the kitchen, causing both women to jump. He opened the fridge and got a soda before turning to leave.
"Oh! Shinji! We were just…" Misato started before Shinji put his hand up as he walked out.
"Whatever. Don't worry about it," he replied sadly before he disappeared back into his room. Any motivation he had to sing that night was gone.
"Crap," Misato muttered. "That didn't go well."
"Warrk!" Pen-Pen agreed as he came out of his freezer and grabbed a beer before disappearing once more.
"Yeah," Asuka agreed as she sighed, her previous funk returning as she finished her dinner. That night passed slowly as the music Asuka longed to hear never appeared.
End of the Third Measure.