Changes In Tempo
CHAPTER 3: Setting In
Tokyo-III - 9:47 PM
"Captain, are we ready to begin?" Gendo asked.
"Yes. EVA-01, LAUNCH!"
In seconds, Rei launched as fast as a rocket to the surface.
A cargo door in the ground opened up at the surface, presenting Unit-01 to Sachiel.
Rei faced the angel. She knew that there was no backing down from this point onward.
"Well, look what the lessers gifted me, fresh meat!" Sachiel said, facing Eva-01.
"Okay, Rei, now to move, think with your thoughts, so think about walking or moving one leg forward," Misato told Rei over the comns.
As Rei trembled, staring at Sachiel ahead of her, she began to clear her mind and tried to move.
"Left. Right. Left. Right."
Her pace began speeding up, and she tripped.
"REI. GET BACK UP!" Misato called.
Rei could only sit, helpless, as fear took over. It wasn't long before Sachiel rushed over and grabbed the head of Eva-01.
"No time to escape, can ya?" Sachiel said.
Sachiel grabbed Eva-01's left arm, crushing it with large amounts of force. Rei could only scream in pain as the arm would break, losing control of Rei. The entire command deck could only try to keep Rei in control as she began decreasing her synchronization to Eva-01.
"Harmonics are decreasing rapidly! Vital signs are fading away! Trying to maintain contact!" An operator called.
"If you mere mortals think you can attack me with all you have, then I feel it's fair I take away your head!" Screamed Sachiel, with hints of demonic laughter.
Sachiel grabs the head, claw gripping it until the crushing force is higher than the force the head can handle. With eight blows to the head, it pushes Eva-01 back to a crumbled building, letting it release large amounts of blood. Rei could only watch as she went unconscious.
"REI, GET UP!" Misato yelled. Everything went black for Rei.
April 24, 2015 - NERV General Hospital - 12:46 PM
Rei woke up to the bright lights of the sun shining through the window and the beeping of medical equipment. As she began to sit up, pain ached throughout her body. A nurse walks in to perform her regular checkups on Rei but notices that she is sitting upright in her bed.
"I'll notify Misato for you. I only ask that you please lay back down, as you are still weak from last night." The nurse told Rei.
Rei could only nod as it was painful for her to speak. The nurse left the room after that. Rei could only think to herself as she wondered why she ached in pain.
NERV HQ - 1:00
Human Instrumentality. The idea of forced human evolution by bringing the outcome of the Third Impact through their control. Five representatives: Keel Lorenz of Germany, Vladimir Sokolov of Russia, Edmond Baudin of France, Daniel Sallow of the United Kingdom, and Elijah Barlowe of the United States, we're in a meeting, along with Gendo Ikari.
"The coming of Sachiel according to the Dead Sea Scrolls seems to not match up with how its timeline mentions." Keel Lorenz mentioned.
"It's the same as it was fifteen years ago. Some disaster always barges in without notice." Edmond said.
"Maybe it's fortunate for us from the view that prior investments resulted in nothing," Daniel mentioned.
"Things haven't turned out yet, so if it is useless, rest assured it's waste," Vladimir mentioned.
"Correct. As for the cleanup of the aftermath, which is now public knowledge, and information control, we shall have NERV handle both of them appropriately." Edmond requested.
"Those matters handled already, so feel eased," Gendo said.
"Oh, but Ikari, can't you use Eva and NERV in better ways?" Elijah spoke up.
"The costs of the repairs for Unit-00 and Unit-01, which you broke during the battle, could ruin a country," Edmond brung up.
"I heard that you also gave your daughter your brand new toy, Rei Ikari, according to my sweep of NERV employee IDs," Daniel mentions.
"Humans, time, and money… How much will we have to spend to fit the satisfaction for you and your daughter?" Vladimir asked.
"You have another job, don't you? The Human Instrumentality Project. That is to be your top priority," Daniel brought up.
"Correct as well. Human Instrumentality is the only hope under such circumstances for us, that is." Edmond said.
"Although the Angels have come back, it will be prohibited that the project will be behind schedule. As for budgets, we may consider."
One by one, members left the call until it was just Keel and Gendo.
"There's no going back, Ikari," Keel spoke up, leaving the call.
"I know. Us mortals have no time." Gendo spoke
NERV General Hospital - 1:34 PM
Misato entered Rei's room, immediately putting a smile on her face as she finally could see she was okay. She sat down in the chair next to her bed.
"Well, I see you look better. Are you ready to go?" Misato asked.
"Yeah, I guess," Rei responded. She stood up with only a grunt of pain. Both began to proceed to the elevator back down to the main lobby. While Rei and Misato were moving down the hallway, Rei noticed Shinji passing by down a hallway in a gurney. Misato watched as Rei and Shinji made eye contact for a second, only to break away another second later. Rei and Misato arrived at the elevator another minute later. Misato pressed the call button, waiting. The door opened, greeting Rei and Misato to Gendo, stone-faced and emotionless. He always had a scowl on his face, making him look angry almost all the time. Rei immediately looked away and could only face back once the elevator door closed. Misato now saw Rei's hatred for her father and knew Gendo's actions against Rei would never mend the relationship both held.
NERV HQ - 1:56 PM
"Your accommodations will be in Block 6 in District F. Do you have any complaints?" A NERV employee asked Rei.
"No sir, I have no complaints," Rei told the employee.
"Sir, if I may ask. Is it possible for you to set her accommodations with me?" Misato interjected.
"Only if it is fine with Rei. After all, it is her decision." The employee told her.
"Well, I suppose it would be nice to have company, so I accept," Rei told him.
"Then it's settled. I will contact Yamato Transport to change the route to Misato's home. I hope you enjoy your new home here in Tokyo-III." The employee told her with a smile.
Highway leaving NERV HQ - 2:13 PM
"Tonight, we are going to party!" Misato said with vigor and excitement.
"Why is that?" Rei asked, oblivious to her excitement.
"We're celebrating the entry of my new roommate!" Misato told Rei. "Before we go to your new home, we need to buy some groceries."
Shimanamura General Store - 2:35 PM
Misato and Rei arrived at a grocery store. They walked inside and grabbed products such as beer, beer, more beer, and some instant foods like ramen. As they went to check out, Rei overheard a stranger's conversation.
"I would've never thought this city would become a full-on battlefield. My husband is already suggesting we move away to Tokyo-II." A housewife said.
"Move away seems like a good idea. The government says that this city is supposed to be a fortress, but sometimes we can't rely on what others say." Another housewife said.
Rei could only look down in disappointment as she began to recall faint memories of the battle last night. Misato noticed this just a few seconds later.
"Hey, Rei, do you need to hang out outside for the time being?" Misato whispered in her ear. Rei accepted her offer and walked outside. She decided to lay back against the store's wall and close her eyes. After sitting for a minute, she was startled by something fuzzy touching her leg. She looked down and noticed it was a fluffy dark grey cat with green eyes. Rei kneeled and played around with the cat for the time being. Misato walked out two minutes later and noticed Rei, her face filled with a smile, playing with the cat.
"Well, I see you've taken a liking to that cat," Misato said with a laugh.
"Can we keep it?" Rei asked.
"I don't know. Taking care of a cat seems like a big responsibility. The last pet I owned had to have its freezer, yet it could feed itself and take care of itself." Misato cautioned Rei.
"I'll take care of it. I promise," Rei told her.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to do so. We'd need to ask the store if it owns it since it is a family-run store." Misato told Rei.
Rei picked up the cat, shocked that it didn't resist, just going to sleep in her arms while purring. She walked into the store and asked the clerk if it was their cat. They denied that it was their cat and told her she could keep it if she wanted to. Rei walked out of the store and walked towards Misato.
"They said it isn't theirs. It's free for us to take." Rei told Misato
"Well, we're gonna need supplies for it, but before we do so, what will you name it?" Misato told Rei.
Rei thought to herself for a good while. The name is usually the most important part when taking in a pet, aside from the usual vaccines and medical treatments.
"Meowzart shall be its name," Rei responded.
"Meowzart? Why a name like that?" Misato asked with confusion.
"I have a keen interest in music, as well as the study of it, and Mozart happens to be my favorite composer."
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to name it after someone you enjoy," Misato responded, still confused but having a better overall understanding.
Tokyo-III Overlook - 6:35 PM
With all the shopping finished and pet supplies gathered, Rei sat in the car with Meowzart in her lap, sleeping peacefully.
"Before we head home, we're gonna take a little detour to this overlook ahead," Misato said. Rei looked up from her cat, wondering where Misato was taking her now. They stopped at a little overlook just a minute later. Rei put her cat down gently in the car for the time being. Walking over to the railing, Rei leaned over, getting a view of the city. When she first saw the city, it looked less like a city with no high-rise buildings. It seemed almost desolate. Just five minutes later, Misato spoke up.
"Hey, it's time," Misato spoke to Rei. In a matter of seconds, blaring alarms went off, followed by rumbles in the ground. Shortly after, buildings appeared left and right, covering spots once empty before the battle. Rei watched in awe as they appeared. Her hair fluttered in the wind, almost covering her face half the time. One minute later, the sirens turned off, signaling that all buildings had risen.
"This is Tokyo-III. The city you defended. Your new home," Misato spoke to Rei.
Rei looked down with a frown, responding a few seconds later.
"I didn't defend this. I did terribly. I was helpless during all of it." Rei said with bitter sadness.
"Rei, even if you think you did terribly, you were able to stop the angel from causing more damage. You did great, and people commend you for it," Misato said, reassuring Rei.
"I was terrified. Every moment I was in it, I could only fear it. I never felt brave to do what I did." Rei cried at Misato.
"Rei, bravery is being afraid and doing what's necessary. No matter how terrified you were, you did a good thing that most wouldn't." Misato told Rei. She went over to go and comfort her. "Why don't we head home? We still have groceries to put up." Misato asked her.
Rei calmed down and accepted, getting back in the car and resting with Meowzart on the way. Misato could only smile.
Apartment Complex 8C - 8:42 PM
Misato and Rei walked to the apartment door after arriving on the 6th floor, carrying Meowzart and groceries in both of her arms. Noticing a sizeable amount of packages on the side of a door at the end of the walkway, Rei could only assume it was her stuff as the boxes were all marked with "Yamato Shipping" on the outside.
"Seems the shipping company has sent all your stuff here. It's a lot, might I add. Would you like help moving it in?" Misato asked.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind the help. I will remind you some are fragile while others are heavy." Rei heaved with caution. What Misato didn't notice on a few boxes was a label marked with "Instruments" on the side, along with two larger boxes that Rei knew were her desk and cabinet. She then opened the door and stepped in.
"Welcome to your new home Rei," Misato told her.
Rei stepped in, hesitating almost as she stuttered her foot through the doorway. She knew she should feel welcome and safe in her new environment, yet it didn't feel right. She had never adjusted to living in different homes since her mother's death and moving to Osaka with her uncle. As they walked down the hallway, Misato spoke up.
"I hope you won't mind the mess in here. I just got this apartment a month ago."
The entire kitchen was a mess. Takeout boxes littered every inch of the counter, beer cans were all over the table, and burnt food scraps littered near the stove. Rei needed to take it into her own hands. She had never seen a mess like this in her life. She set the bed they bought for Meowzart, placed him in the bed while he rested, and then put the groceries in the fridge. She grabbed the nearest cleaning supplies she could find and began clearing the kitchen of the mess. Misato walked back into the kitchen only to find Rei cleaning the kitchen. Shocked and ashamed, she went to help Rei. After an hour or so, the apartment was clean.
9:52 PM
"Now that that's out of the way, I'll show you to your room," Misato told Rei. They walked down another hallway between the living room and kitchen, leading to 2 doors on either side and a folding door that could be a closet. Misato opened the door on the left, revealing a room with a slanted skylight, plenty of space, a single bed, and a bedside table.
"Here's where you'll be staying. I hope you find it comfortable." Misato said to Rei.
"This should do good. I like it." Rei told her. With that settled, Rei decided to grab some of the boxes inside and begin setting up her room. She opened up a box of decorations, taking some lights and several hooks. She then wondered if Misato had a ladder so she could hang them up.
"Do you have a ladder by any chance Misato," Rei asked her.
"I believe so in the storage closet. Why do you need one?" She asked.
"I need to hang some stuff up in my room, that's all." She answered.
Rei went into the storage closet, grabbed a folding ladder, and placed it in her room along a wall. She then went around her room, placing adhesive pads to hold hooks, then hanging lights on top of the mounts. In under 5 minutes, Rei plugged them in. The lights shined up her room, giving it new life. She went about the room placing photos and other decorations around her room for the next hour.
10:47 PM
Feeling satisfied with her progress, Rei went to the kitchen, only to find Misato had prepared a full dinner.
"Ready to party?" Misato asked her.
"S- Sure…" Rei replied, shocked.
Sitting down, they both began to dig into their food. Granted, it was microwaveable food, but it's better than nothing. Later, they then divided up the chores, which took five minutes.
"Well, since we have all the chores divided, we can finally relax," Misato added, sighing before chugging a beer.
"You know that beer is bad for your liver, right?" Rei asked her with worry.
"Boo hoo! What's the big idea?" Misato answered.
"Well, I had a family friend. He drank almost seven beers a day. Some said he had a liver of steel or that he had the liver of a juggernaut. But he died at 28 of Liver failure. He had medical devices all over him on his deathbed. It wasn't pretty." Rei added.
Misato spat out her beer a second later. She didn't like the prospect of dying early, especially at a time like this when she had to command NERV. She needed to go sober. She then went to the nearest trash can to throw away her beer, including the other beers in her fridge.
"And that was a whole new pack," Misato said as tears fell down her cheek.
"Sorry…" Rei told her.
11:02 PM
Rei sat in the bathtub, thinking to herself.
"It's nice here… Misato is nice… Who is Shinji?" Her thoughts slowly wandered over to Shinji. His eyes were deep blue like the ocean. She wondered how he got injured, considering he had a cast on his left arm and an eye patch over his right eye. Her thoughts over him continued, only stopping until she blushed.
"Maybe I should try to be friends with him," Rei said to herself.
Test Chamber 1, NERV HQ - 11:17 PM
"What is Shinji's condition?" Ritsuko asked, standing over the frozen Unit-00.
"20 more days from now, he should be able to move. I'll work to get the Committee's agreement on restarting Unit-00.
"What a pain they have," Ritsuko added.
"There are no other people that are compatible with pilot Eva. As long as the current pilots are alive, I let them continue as is." Gendo said.
"Whatever the kids think," Ritsuko added, ending the conversation.
11:41 PM
Rei lay in her bed, her headphones in her ears, listening to Bach's "Suite No. 3 in C major" as she tried going to sleep. She turned over on her side, thinking back to last night.
The Previous Night - 9:52 PM
"REI, GET UP!" Misato yelled.
"Signals are lost. Eva-01 has gone inactive." An operator repeated.
A minute passed by with no activity. Suddenly, Eva-01 activated again, but Rei was not in control. Eva-01 let out a roar of fury, running towards Sachiel. Misato's face, including the rest of the command deck, filled with terror when she heard the death-defying scream. Ritsuko could only watch as Eva-01's true nature was revealed.
"We've won," Gendo remarked, smirking as Eva-01 went berserk. Fuyutsuki watched with terror, praying Rei was okay.
Eva-01 began striking at the core repeatedly. Sachiel, panicking, thought of a solution.
"If I'm going to die, I'll take you with me!"
Sachiel wrapped itself onto Eva-01, self-destructing. A green cross arose from Tokyo-III. The command deck regained their feed, seeing Eva-01 walking towards the camera, unphased by the explosion. It stopped just ten seconds later.
"Connection re-established! Vitals signs okay." An operator repeated.
Rei watched as Eva-01's feed was reestablished, revealing the head of Eva-01 dismembered. The skull was in open view. Rei then noticed a green eye appearing in the eye socket of Eva-01 blinking at her. She screamed, losing consciousness again.
Present time - 11:56 PM
Rei awoke back to her bedroom. Twirling her blue hair, she balled up. A few seconds later, Misato opened her door, revealing a mop of blue that went down to her waist. She then spoke up.
"Rei, what you did last night made me happy. You didn't make just me, but everyone in the city. You did a good thing, and I thank you for it."
Rei stood up, turning around to Misato. Her red eyes glistened in the light. Although abnormal to most around her, her eyes were an effect of her albinism and genetics. She got up and hugged Misato, crying. Misato patted the back of her head.
"Why didn't you tell me about last night?" Rei asked, sobbing in between words.
"I'm sorry, but I thought you would never know what happened, and I never thought to tell you since the story was frightening, even for the command deck," Misato said. "Just go back to bed, okay? Let tomorrow be a better day."
Rei walked back to her bed. Meowzart followed suit with her, climbing into Rei's bed and falling asleep. Misato smiled, guessing that the cat's bond with Rei was strong, even after only having him for a day. Misato closed her door, went to her room, and slept.
つづく
To be Continued