In the outskirts of Dresden, Germany there's a tavern built by a Hessian soldier after he returned from the new world. It survived three world wars, two fire-bombings, Germany's attempt at prohibition in '09, and a plague of monkeys. Inside the ceiling looms high and vaulted, with candelabrum holding actual tallow candles. The oaken panels on the bar and walls depict exploits of gods long dead. With the exception of modern taps the bar itself remains a solid slab of marble resting on a maple base. Fresh sawdust is always on the floor and laughter hangs in the air. Family owned and operated, the tavern not only feeds and lodges weary travelers, but also allows discreet and safe meetings for less reputable characters.

One such person was in a back booth alone, sipping at his whiskey sour and ogling barmaids. He had on a light blue dress shirt with the top button undone, the sleeves rolled up and black slacks. Even though he was currently flirting with a sultry barmaid, he did not fail to notice the entrance of an old acquaintance. The new entrant was a tall blond man, who went straight to the bar. Briefly laughing with the bartender, he took a stein from the tap, and then headed for the jukebox beside the stage while scanning the room. Fiddling with the machine for a bit, he slowly wandered over to join the man in the booth as the waitress left.

"Been a while, hasn't it Mr. Kaji?"

"Not since the Netherlands Mr. Weber."

"You know, we actually had to lock Tessa in the brig to keep her from crushing you under an AS after that stunt you pulled. She still holds a grudge."

"Really, she's holding a grudge over such a little thing? Tell me, can she even start an Arm Slave?"

"I'd be a little more careful of her. She's beaten Melissa."

"Is that a fact?"

"Well, I'd tell you to ask Melissa, but I think she'd just break your other leg."

Kaji flinched as the memory of the first break started the leg throbbing. Kurz smiled, and then decided to get to the matter at hand. "Anyways, I'm not in the country for much longer. I'd like to see my niece before I have to go back. Do you have my package with you?" Kaji slid an unmarked manila envelope across the table, and waited for an explanation. Getting none he asked, "Why do you need this?" "Because Shinji's become one of your Evangelion pilots," Kurz replied, "Nerv doesn't exactly have the best of pension plans. I'm just going to make sure he comes home."

As he left, Kurz called over his shoulder, "Besides, I can't let him play hero now can I?"

On the other side of the world Touji Suzuhara was confused. He had come to school angry and depressed. His sister had nearly been killed. He blamed himself for detouring through the mall instead of going straight to meet her at the park. When he arrived at class his friend Kensuke Aida had tried to convince him that the new guy, Ikari, was the pilot of the thing that hurt his sister. He found that hard to believe, as whenever anyone asked the wimpy looking new guy about being a pilot, he would deny working for Nerv.

However, Touji did know that one Miss Rei Ayanami did. Not only that, but she had injuries consistent with Kensuke's bootleg footage of the battle. Touji didn't know how those machines worked, but that was enough evidence for him. He tried to confront her about it all day, but all he got for his efforts was either a cold stare or a soft, "That is classified." His frustration culminated at lunch when she began to ignore him completely. Touji reached back to slap her, just for some release. Even with the irrational anger that comes when family is harmed, Touji did not immediately strike. His fathers voice echoed in his mind, reminding him never to strike a woman out of anger. As he hesitated Shinji stepped up slowly maneuvering between Touji and Rei. Trying to draw Touji's attention. As Shinji attempted to calm down a complete stranger, Rei turned her attention away from the window and watched the two boys in silence. She noted that while Shinji made a good diversion, he was a piss poor negotiator.

"Whoa, easy now. That would be a very bad idea."

"Mind you own business Newcomer."

"Even if she wasn't injured, you're likely to do some major damage to her. Look, if you really wanted to hit her that would've been the first thing you did. Just…"

"Back Off! She nearly killed my sister!"

"...How?"

"We all know Ayanami's a pilot. If Frosty hadn't been so careless in that battle my sister wouldn't'a been hurt."

"You're right, that battle was sloppy. But you seem to be fine, she can't be that bad off, right?"

Touji stepped back and looked out the window, "I wasn't there."

The classroom was silent except for the sound of cicadas. The entire class was in fear for both Children's lives, as Touji was known for breaking bones on a whim. Students and teachers alike were betting on when he would be expelled. The pool was already more than the principals yearly salary.

"I was downtown, shopping. When the Alarms went off, I tried to go home. A security guard forced me into a shelter."

"I…I'm sorry."

"Why do you care, you're not involved."

"Because I was the pilot."

Shinji didn't move. Not because he was scared or trying to be noble. Military training tends to burn deep in your brain. In the same area as the little voice that tells you not to go down a certain alley, or that someone has been in your home. That voice was telling Shinji that Touji was no threat. By the time Shinji's upper brain had processed this, a metallic click had stopped Touji from advancing. Looking down the boys noticed a very shiny and very sharp switchblade pressed against a very sensitive area on Touji. Rei's face had hardened just enough to make her current expression not only disturbing, but downright scary. If any one, it didn't matter who, made a sudden move at that moment in time, Touji would bleed. That much was fact. The stalemate held for a long moment. In one of those strange cosmic jokes the situation resolved itself. Soft tones came from Rei's bag. She pulled out her cell phone, listened for about five seconds, then closed her knife and gathered her things. "There is an emergency. We must report in." Shinji nodded, grabbed his bag, and left with his fellow pilot, grateful for an escape. When the alarms went off seconds later, the rest of the class shuffled towards the shelters gossiping. Touji simply fell to his knees, hands in his lap, checking his vital organ and noticing hairs both severed and split.