Μόνου γαρ αυτού και θεός στερίσκεται, αγένητα ποιείν άσσ᾽ αν ᾖ πεπραγμένα (Of this, even god is deprived, the power to make things that are past to never have been) — Attributed to Agathon, 5th Century BCE
Asuka sat at a terminal, one of many manned stations in the operations center, and observed with half an eye a stream of data being fed to her screen that detailed the Third Child's status. The other half of her attention was focused on the video feed of Unit 01's entry plug. It displayed a relaxed-looking pilot with his head bowed and eyes closed, his arms extended, and hands loosely gripped around the handles set into the control board in front of him.
This was both the first activation test for the Third Child since Asuka had arrived in Japan, and also the first activation test she had ever been on the observing and controlling side of—even counting her mulligan. Plenty of firsts still left for me, she thought idly as she propped an elbow up on her workstation and rested her chin in an upraised hand. Her eyes widened slightly, and a blush spread across her cheeks as the implications of that thought suddenly occurred to her. These lecherous old people are getting to me. Old people should be shot, she thought, as she quietly cleared her throat and sat up straight. She took a discreet glance around the room to ensure her little slip had gone unnoticed, but none of the other occupants were paying her any mind.
"Initialization complete. We're ready for the activation test, Ma'am," said Maya from a few stations down.
"Great," replied Misato. "Shinji, we're all set on our end, the rest is up to you. Remember: just relax and keep a clear mind."
He knows how to do this, Misato! What the hell do you think I've been teaching him? Asuka scowled at her screen.
"I know, Misato-san," the Third Child replied without lifting his head or opening his eyes. "Asuka was, umm, pretty thorough with her explanations on all of this. Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," he said, his head stooping a little lower.
Asuka's eyebrow twitched and her scowl deepened. You're damn right I was thorough, Third. And stop apologizing for everything! There's got to be some sort of assertiveness course I can put him through before all this is done.
"Well, I wouldn't want to step on Drill Sergeant Soryu's toes on this one," Misato said as she leered at Asuka, who pointedly did not look at her nor show a reaction to her teasing. "Well, let's get started, then," she said, a note of disappointment in her voice.
As the area settled into the buzz of normal operations, Asuka kept her focus on the video feed displayed on the large monitors at the front of the room. The data feed on her terminal would not hold any information she wanted that carefully monitoring the Third Child could not glean. He seems to have found a comfortable position, at least. It can be hell in those seats, sometimes, when you're in there for hours.
The boy had not moved since he had spoken to Misato, at least not that Asuka could see. After a few short moments that technicians in the background spent commenting on different variables and factors that were affecting the synchronization between pilot and Eva, Asuka saw the Third Child raise his head slightly and tighten his grip on the control yokes. He's got it. Maybe today I should ask him about how it feels when he synchs with Unit 01. I guess I'll see how skittish he is later.
"Activation successful," Maya said from her station.
"Good job, Shinji! Just sit tight for a little while, then you'll be free to go," Misato said to the pilot as she stepped up next to Maya and placed one hand the console next to her station, leaning on it. She glanced over the data on the younger woman's screen.
"Um, sure, Misato-san," Shinji said quietly without looking up.
Good, he seems to be taking this seriously, Asuka thought. Ten days' worth of training is already paying off. Of course it is, what else would one expect of the Great Asuka Langley Soryu?
Misato gave a pointed look and gestured towards Hyuga before returning her gaze to Maya's computer screen. The other technician flipped a switch in front of him and turned to face Misato.
"Intercom's off, Ma'am, let me know when you want me to return communications," he informed her.
"Thanks, Hyuga," she said, squinting her eyes at the data in front of her. "I can't read this stuff. Give me the highlights, Maya," she said with exasperation.
Come on, Misato, it's not complicated, Asuka groaned to herself. She looked at her own, identical, data feed and surmised that everything was perfectly in line with what was expected for the Third Child in Unit 01. Decently high synch rate with the test type, vitals normal, psychograph stable, Unit 01 responding to system tests, it's all there. Of course, put this thing in front of an Angel and it'll be a different story, she thought, recalling all the times Unit 01 performed erratically—even when she was inside of it.
"Oh, I can explain it, Ma'am," Maya said happily. She began pointing out different sections of her screen. "This portion shows the Pilot's vitals: heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation. And here's the section that shows the feedback we get from the system communicating with Unit 01—"
"Yeah, can I just get his synch rate?" Misato interrupted, rubbing the back of her neck and smiling apologetically. "All that stuff sounds useful, but I'm just looking for a metric to measure his progress with Unit 01."
"Ah, umm, I see," the technician said. "Well," she began, pointing to another section of her screen, "the Pilot's synch rate is displayed here. Currently at 58%."
Misato nodded and cast a look towards Asuka, who had been splitting her attention between the other technician's demonstration and her own monitor. "I see. Thanks, Maya. That's an improvement from his time against the Third Angel, all with just a couple of hours of simulation time." She smirked at Asuka. "Must be something else to account for his improvement, then."
I'm trying to be professional, here, Asuka sulked as her desire to loudly proclaim the superiority of her teaching abilities was manifesting.
"I wonder what it could be, though?" Misato asked as she put on an inquisitive face and tapped her chin. She kept shooting Asuka conspiratorial glances that the girl did not return. "Maybe there's something in the water?"
Misato, you're the worst at this. What kind of bait is that? Asuka thought as she fidgeted slightly in her seat.
"Rits, what do you think? Do the Magi have any ideas?" She turned to face her friend and waltzed slowly towards the terminal she was typing away at, overfull ash tray and empty coffee mug placed precariously next to the keyboard. "I just can't think of anything, myself."
"It could be due to any number of factors," Akagi replied without looking up from her screen. She took the moment to take a break from typing and pull out a cigarette which she quickly lit before returning to her task. "Isn't pilot development more your field anyway?" She asked sweetly. "Maybe the answer lies closer than you think."
Ok, she's worse, Asuka grimaced at her workstation.
"Hmm, you've got a point," Misato replied, turning back to smirk at the back of Asuka's head. "Anyone have any thoughts?" The other occupants of the control room exchanged glances as the charade continued to play out.
Fine! You win! "Obviously the Third Child's dramatic improvement is due to my training," Asuka boasted. She spun her chair around and jumped up out of it, crossing her arms and smirking at Misato. "It seems that even with him spending only minimal time in the Eva, my superior skills and abilities have begun to rub off on him. Now that the repairs are complete and we can spend more time getting practical experience, I guarantee you'll see even better results!" She promised.
"Oh?" Misato queried, leering at Asuka. "Rubbing off? Practical experience? My, my, maybe I need to keep a closer eye on your little training sessions with Shin-chan," she teetered, covering her mouth with one hand in mock outrage.
Asuka's eyes shot open to the size of dinner plates and her face turned beet red. "Misato!" She protested, crossing her arms angrily as she turned her head to the side and thrust her chin up. She hmmphed indignantly. I can't believe I walked right into that! These disgusting old people only ever think about—that! "Do you have any more filthy jokes to share? Or can we get back to work?"
The Captain smiled softly and placed her hands on her hips. "No, I think that'll do for now, Asuka," she said. "Actually," she continued, as she checked the time, "the test is over soon. Let's you and I head down to the changing rooms and wait for Shinji to finish up—I've got something I want to talk to you about."
Fuck. Did I slip up? What does she know? No, calm down; there's no reason to think she suspects anything. This is probably nothing. "Fine," Asuka grumbled as she powered down her workstation and pushed her chair back into place.
"Great!" Misato cheered. "Hyuga, let Shinji know that we're waiting for him once you guys finalize things, will you?" She called to the man as she ushered Asuka out of the operations center. "Rits, I'll see you later!"
Any replies were lost to the door quickly closing behind the pair as they made their way to the nearby bank of elevators. Misato pressed one of the call buttons while Asuka sulked. There's nothing noteworthy about today, as far as I can remember. My Unit 02 departs from Wilhelmshaven tomorrow, is that what this is about?
When the elevator doors opened, Misato gently nudged the younger girl inside and followed in behind her, pressing the button for Asuka's most frequently visited level of Headquarters. "I'm having a little party at my place tonight," Misato nonchalantly stated as she leaned against the wall of the elevator with her arms crossed.
"For what?" Asuka asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman. Why would I care what you do in your apartment? What, do you need my help planning it or something? I'm sure you, Shinji, and the bird will all get along great and have such a nice time.
Misato laughed lightly. "Do I need a reason? Call it a celebration."
"What are you celebrating?"
She scoffed at that. "Come on, Asuka. How about we never properly celebrated you defeating the last Angel? Or you arriving in Japan? Or how successful your training with Shinji is going? Take your pick."
Wait, she wants me to be there too? Why would I waste my time with that nonsense? "Don't we all have better things to do?" Asuka said as the elevator doors opened once again, and Misato led them out towards the pilot changing rooms.
"On a Sunday night? Absolutely not," Misato informed her merrily. "You don't have your private session with Shinji tonight, I finally cleared out my backlog of paperwork, and even Rits has some free time! So tonight, we celebrate at my place: dinner, drinks, and good times. Well, maybe not the drinks." She said bashfully as the pair came to a halt at the entrance to the male locker room. "Shin-chan's been on my case about that. The little bastard threatened to throw out my beer stockpile!" She shook her head ruefully.
"I didn't think he had it in him. I told him I'd cut down, and he just gave me this deadpan look." Misato contorted her face into a mask of disappointment and skepticism, with a touch of incredulity. "Just like this," she intoned flatly. Her face returned to its normal cheeky smirk as she chuckled.
Wow. That's—unexpected. Good for you, Third. I'm actually impressed. We'll see who's resolve lasts longer: yours or hers. "And that worked?" Asuka asked cynically.
"He made me promise not to drink any more than once a week," she sighed. "I've already used my pass for this week. If this goes on for much longer he's going to need to find me a new, Third Child-approved, vice. But enough about that—you're coming to my party, and we're all going to have a good time."
That is one of the last things I want to do. "I'm not going if you're cooking dinner," Asuka declared.
"Wwhhaaat?" Misato asked in astonishment. "But I'm making the Katsuragi Special! Don't be rude, Asuka."
The girl internally grimaced at the memory of her former guardian's cooking, both from Germany and from her "previous" time in Japan. "Instant ramen with microwavable curry is not a meal for pilots, Misato." That's actually a good point. I'm sure NERV has a nutritionist around here somewhere; I should get the Idiot on a meal plan—and revise mine. I should've thought of that from the start. "If you're insisting on this ("I am," Misato interjected), then make the Third cook."
Misato tapped her chin in thought. "Hmm. He is quite the little chef. I always look forward to the nights when it's his turn to make dinner—it's better than takeout, even! Ok, while I hate to spring this on him at the last minute, I'm sure Shinji won't mind."
"Won't mind what, Misato-san?" Asked the boy in question as he exited the locker room with his omnipresent white shirt and black slacks, his hair still slightly damp.
"Ah, perfect timing! Come on, we're all leaving Headquarters right now!" Misato cried as she draped an arm over his shoulder. She attempted to do the same to Asuka with her other arm, but the more skillful pilot evaded capture. Undeterred, Misato led her pilots back towards the elevators.
"We've got a change of plans for tonight, Shinji," Misato explained as they boarded an elevator together, some of them more reluctantly than others. "Asuka informed me that she's never had your cooking before, and she just begged me to let you cook tonight ("That's not what I said!" Asuka insisted) so she could, and this is a direct quote here, 'let Shinji fill me up,' ("Misato! You're disgusting!" The younger woman shouted) which can really be taken in a naughty way, but I know you're above that, Shin-chan." Misato squeezed her captive pilot affectionately.
Both teens were blushing, with Shinji fidgeting at the combination of the teasing and the close contact, and Asuka with her back turned on the Captain and her chin turned up in indignation. I should have known she didn't get her fill earlier. Maybe for the next Angel I can make a little detour to her favorite bar. Or her parking spot.
"For your information, Third," Asuka said icily, "I refuse to eat the radioactive waste that Misato calls food. Since she insisted that I come to this party anyway, I told her that you should cook instead."
"Oh. Umm, ok. I don't mind," Shinji replied hesitantly. "Misato-san, can we stop by a store on the way home? I'll need to pick some things up if I'm going to make enough food for five people." He shook his head. "Six, actually. I almost forgot Pen Pen."
Six? Who's going to be at this thing? Kaji, most likely. Maybe Akagi? She's usually wrapped up in her work, but Misato did say that she had some time off today. The First? Asuka sneered as the elevator doors opened and the trio began to make their way to the Headquarters' exit. No, if she were coming, I'm sure the Idiot would have volunteered to cook right from the start. He loves to pamper his doll.
"Sure thing, Shinji," Misato told him, finally releasing him from her grip as the band approached her vehicle and piled into it.
"Will Kaji be there?" Asuka asked as she settled into the front seat and Misato started the car.
"Ugh, yes," the woman replied. She maneuvered her vehicle out from her parking space and towards the train that would ferry them to the surface. "He was skulking around Rits' office when I went down there yesterday to invite her. He of course invited himself." She curled her lip in disgust as they were carried out of the Geofront. "I swear, he's incorrigible," she grumbled.
Well, I was right. Though it's not like there's many people she would invite anyway. Certainly not that Hyuga guy who follows her around like a puppy. Misato continued to mutter about Kaji's various faults and deficiencies, with Shinji making appropriate "yes I am definitely listening to you and am invested in this conversation" noises from the backseat as needed, freeing Asuka to brood quietly.
And who does she think she's fooling with this complaining about Kaji? If she didn't want him to come, she would have told him to fuck off. So immature. Stop pretending you hate him when you obviously still have feelings for him.
Ω
Asuka sat at the kitchen table in the Katsuragi apartment. She was holding the household's penguin in her lap and absentmindedly petting the smooth feathers down along his head and neck, causing him to produce quiet, contented warking sounds, while she watched Shinji finish preparing the last of the evening's meal to come. Under her gaze, the boy began to prepare serving dishes and take various plates and bowls out from the cupboards. When he turned to the table with his load of dishes, he smiled softly at the sight of the girl who quickly averted her eyes when she had noticed him turn around.
"He really likes you," Shinji commented as he began to set each place at the table.
The girl looked down at the bird, who appeared to be sleeping. I suppose I did kind of miss him, she mused as she gently roused him and placed him on the ground. "I think he just likes attention," Asuka said to Shinji, which Pen Pen warked in response to before heading into his personal freezer unit.
"Maybe," Shinji answered. "Um, I wanted to ask you something. Sorry," he continued as he finished placing the last of the dishes on the table.
Ugh, just ask! You can stand up to Misato and her drinking habits, but you have to dance around asking me a question? "And?" Asuka pressed.
"How, uh, did you know that I can cook?" He asked her as he turned back to the counter and began putting food into serving dishes.
Shit. Did he not mention something about cooking? It's been almost two weeks; I can just play it off like I heard it from someone. "Misato must have mentioned it at some point," Asuka explained casually as she leaned her elbows on the table. "But really, even if you couldn't cook, whatever you made would still be preferable to what she calls food."
The boy nodded his head in agreement and mumbled something under his breath that Asuka did not hear. Simultaneously, the apartment's doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Misato declared from within her bedroom. The teens caught a glimpse of her as she dashed to the entryway, having changed into a loose yellow t-shirt and very short shorts. Shinji had just finished putting the last of the food out on the table. "Nice timing, Shin-chan!" She called as she passed by.
She promptly returned to the kitchen area with two guests in tow, Kaji giving the occupants a grin and a "Hi kids," and Akagi brushing her hand up in a small wave.
"Sit down, sit down!" Misato rushed them as she quickly took her own seat at the table. "Shinji's just finished getting everything ready."
"So we won't be subjected to the Katsuragi Special after all?" Akagi asked as she settled into a seat beside Misato, who sat at the head of the table.
"Some people are ungrateful critics and wanted Shinji to cook instead," Misato replied haughtily as Kaji slipped into the seat across from Ritsuko, between Asuka and Misato. He flashed a grin at Asuka as he sat down.
"I suppose some people's palates aren't prepared to handle your brand of cooking, Katsuragi," he said with conciliation.
"Nobody asked you," Misato grumbled with a frown as she slapped Kaji's hand away, which he had extended to hold the one she was resting on the table.
Shinji was the last to take his seat after ensuring that Pen Pen had gotten several small fishes for his dinner, sitting down across from Asuka and next to Akagi. Once everyone had begun eating, after the traditional thanking for the food was given with varying levels of enthusiasm, the three adults kept up a lively discussion that Kaji kept shifting towards work-related topics, much to Misato's chagrin. Asuka did not participate in the talks herself, but paid attention to what Akagi had to say about the work being done on the last Angel's core; it was a project she hadn't heard much about, with her efforts mainly directed towards the Evas and the Pilots themselves.
Most of what she's saying they've found out should have already been known, she picked at the food in front of her while Akagi spoke about some of the characteristics of the material the core was made out of. This is all the same as it is for the Evas—which makes sense, all things considered. She's probably sitting on most of what they're finding, if anything. No telling who's listening, after all.
Asuka looked up from her meal and caught Shinji's eyes as he cast quick glances at the occupants of the table, seemingly at a loss for anything to say despite a desire to participate in the conversation. As the food on the table dwindled, as did the conversation, Asuka noted Shinji's increased disappointment at not being able to join in. Asuka sighed internally, looked back down at the remains of her food, and up again to Shinji. Don't say I never did anything for you, Idiot.
"This food is pretty good, Third," she said before taking another bite. He was always at least useful enough for that. He had prepared a rather standard-looking meal to Asuka's still not overly fond of Japanese food eye: grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and some kind of chicken and eggplant dish—none of which she could name in Japanese.
"That's right!" Misato yelled, eager for a topic outside of work. "You know, I always tell him," she said, turning to Akagi, "he's going to make some girl very happy. Not many men can cook."
"Th-thanks," Shinji said, blushing at the praise but smiling at Asuka.
"Can you cook other kinds of stuff too, or just this kind of food?" Asuka asked him. Might as well see about that diet plan.
"You mean like Western kind of stuff? Um, I guess so? I would just have to follow a recipe for something I don't know how to make already. Right? Did you have something in mind?" His curiosity showed in his voice, though there was a touch of trepidation on his face.
"Doctor Akagi, I know it's not really your field, but do you know if there's a nutritionist wandering around Headquarters?" Asuka asked the woman sitting next to her.
"Yes, I'm sure there's one hiding somewhere." She raised an eyebrow at the girl, while Misato put her face in her hands at the conversation turning back towards work, only looking up to glare at Kaji as he tried to play footsie with her under the table. "That's not a bad thought, actually. Poke around the medical section, you'll find someone there."
"I thought you already had a meal plan, Asuka?" Kaji asked her, tearing his eyes away from Misato's hateful gaze to smile at the girl.
She briefly returned his smile before gesturing to Shinji. "I do, though I'd like to see about a new one; I'm sure details like my metabolic rate have changed since the last time I was evaluated. I'm more concerned about him, though." Now she indicated the food in front of her. "This dinner is all right, macros wise, but with some direction, Shinji, you can make food that will help you recover faster and stuff like that," she explained to her fellow pilot.
"Oh, that makes sense," he said, frowning slightly and furrowing his brow in thought. "How do they know what kind of food I should eat?"
"You just go in and talk to them," Misato explained. "You tell them your goals, talk about what kind of exercise you do, they run some small tests, then give you a breakdown of what you should be eating," she said, noticing Shinji's frown deepen at the mention of tests. "Simple tests!" She assured him.
Asuka nodded in agreement. "I'll take you myself, Third," she told him. "I'll want to make sure they know what my training plan is." And I suppose I have to bite the bullet on this one. "And what about the First, Doctor?" She asked, quirking her head at the woman next to her.
"Ah, that reminds me," Ritsuko said as she pulled a card from her purse. "Ayanami is officially back on duty now. She's had the last of her bandages removed; she'll be joining your training sessions starting tomorrow. I've already cleared it with the Commander—he was intrigued by the potential benefits to pilot synch rates."
"That's great news!" Misato said. "Professor Soryu gets one more student!"
Ok, just ignore her. "Do I need to make any accommodations for her?"
"No, your current schedule works for her just fine," Akagi assured her. "As for taking her to a nutritionist, go right ahead. Just clear any dietary plans through me before you implement them. And do me a favor," Ritsuko said, handing the card she was holding to Asuka. "Take this to Ayanami on your way back tonight? She's got an activation test with Unit 00 tomorrow morning, and her old ID was deactivated before I could get her this one."
Asuka took the card and glanced at the address on it. That's not a part of town I've ever been to, she thought. I didn't even know people lived there. I thought it was unfinished construction. "Sure, Doctor," she told her. Just pawn off the undesirable tasks to me; just like taking care of the Idiot.
"That's hardly on the way back to the Geofront, Rits," Kaji admonished the doctor. "I'll drive you, kiddo, and I'll make sure you get back to your place, too."
Eh? That's weird, coming from you, Kaji. I'd usually have to beg for treatment like that. Though I suppose a gentleman would never let a lady travel alone at night.
"Um, sorry, do you mind if I come too, Kaji-san?" Shinji asked the man next to him.
And of course, the Third just absolutely must take every opportunity to see his precious Ayanami.
"Of course you can come," Kaji turned his grin to the boy. "You've been spending time with the First Child at school, right? You want to check on her?"
Shinji blushed at the comment but met Kaji's gaze. "She's, uh, well, I think we're friends. We don't talk much, but when I do ask her something she usually answers. Which is more than what she does with other people." He looked back down at his food. "Actually, what Asuka said before made me worried about Ayanami-san's diet. I rarely see her eat at school, so I want to bring her some leftovers. And show her how to store and pack them properly."
A deeply mischievous grin worked its way onto Misato's face while Asuka quietly huffed and finished off the last of her food. "That's awfully sweet of you, Shin-chan," Misato said in a voice that dripped with honey. "Just completely adorable, but you really do need to watch yourself; cooking for two girls is—"
"After all!" Shinji quickly spoke over her before she could finish. "Asuka is making sure that I'm in proper piloting condition, so we should do the same for Ayanami-san, right?" He cast his gaze around searching for an ally, but Kaji was too bemused, Akagi too above it all, and Asuka too ignoring him to offer any respite. He endured the next several moments of Misato making lascivious remarks with decidedly very little grace.
Make your excuses, we all know everyone prefers the docile First Child to the bitchy Second Child. Asuka looked up to Kaji, standing from her place at the table. "Can we go now, Kaji? I don't want to be out too late," she said in a mostly successful likeness of pleasantness.
"Sure thing," Kaji replied as he stood up himself, bending to take Misato's hand for one last affectionate kiss across her knuckles. She shooed his hand away. "We wouldn't want to keep Ayanami waiting on her dinner any longer, would we, Shinji?" He asked as the boy in question also rose and began piling up empty dishes and taking them to the sink.
"I'll be just a second, Kaji-san," he told him. "Misato-san, I'll wash these when I get back, so don't touch—I mean, don't worry about them, ok?"
"You got it!" Misato smiled at Ritsuko as Asuka and Kaji made their way towards the entryway and Shinji began preparing some containers of food. "Isn't he the best, Rits?"
"He certainly seems to be the roommate you needed," she answered. "I don't know how I got through those years in university living with you," she said, smiling fondly.
"You were enamored with my wonderful personality and amazing social skills, both of which you were severely lacking," Misato chuckled.
"Ah, is that what you called it when you and Kaji didn't leave your bed for a—"
"Ok! That's enough of that!" Misato yelped, flustered. "Shinji, Asuka, you guys all set?" The teens replied in the affirmative, Shinji making his way towards the apartment door with his arms full of food containers, Asuka already leaning against the doorway waiting for him. "Good. Kaji, you take them to Ayanami's, then straight back home. Got it? No funny business," she scolded. "I don't want to read any Section Two reports about you three joyriding around the city or something."
"Whatever you say, Katsuragi," the man replied as he ushered the kids out of the apartment. "Goodbye, ladies," he called out behind him, the Pilots offering their own goodbyes. What kind of nonsense does Misato think we'd get up to anyway? Asuka thought as the two women returned their goodbyes.
Ω
The ride to the First Child's residence had been quiet, with Kaji happy to smoke and drive in contemplative silence which left Asuka to consider how to handle her first real interaction with Ayanami in what was, for her, likely "months," and left Shinji to concern himself with keeping his containers from getting knocked around in the car.
Should I just ask her to be friends again? Try to start over? Asuka sighed to herself. Maybe we could be friends—like I was with Hikari. Except Ayanami actually understands what it means to be a pilot. Or at least, theoretically she does. I just need to get her to stop acting so insufferably holier-than-thou!
Asuka grimaced as Kaji pulled into a parking spot in front of an apartment building that looked like it should have been condemned a long time ago. The group had passed by increasingly inhospitable looking buildings as they got closer to their destination, but Asuka had not been expecting the building to look quite so bad. I feel like I need a tetanus shot just from looking at it, she thought as she got out of the car. Kaji followed suit, opening the back door for Shinji to get out without having to drop his prize.
"You kids go on ahead," Kaji said as he scanned around the surrounding buildings. "I'm going to have a chat with some of the Section Two guys around here. I'll be up shortly if you're not back before I'm done."
"Sure, Kaji," Asuka said, hurriedly walking toward what she figured to be the main entrance; it was hard to tell with few working lights anywhere on the exterior of the building, and even fewer in the interior that she could tell from the outside. "Come on, Third," she instructed the boy as he walked dutifully behind her.
Opening the front door revealed a lobby that looked mostly abandoned; grime covered every surface that Asuka could see, the tiled floor was ripped up in some parts, more than half the light fixtures were dark, and the single elevator was marked out of order.
What kind of place is this? Asuka thought as she made her way inside after holding the door open for her fellow with the otherwise occupied arms. "Looks like we're taking the stairs," she remarked to Shinji.
"Right," he said, heading towards an open entryway near the main entrance with a flickering light inside which showed a staircase.
Asuka took the lead up the stairs, frowning in disgust at the disrepair of the building in general as they made their way to the First Child's floor. These stairs seem fine, they're just concrete, but the railings might as well not be here! She had tentatively placed her hand on one of the unpainted, rusted railings, and found it to be barely affixed to the ground. "Watch your step, Idiot," she said idly while she climbed the stairs.
Once the pair arrived at the landing for Ayanami's floor, Asuka gladly lead Shinji into the hall away from the stairs—but it was hardly an improvement to where they had come from. Why the hell would anyone live here? She thought to herself as she picked her way down the mostly unlit outdoor hallway around piles of garbage. At least the outside air keeps the smell down.
"This is it," she announced as they came up to Ayanami's door. She noted that there was at least no refuse piled in front of it, like some of the other doors had, though it was just as grimy and battered looking as its neighbors. She reached out for the doorbell and pressed on it, but it did not ring.
"Maybe try knocking?" Shinji asked from behind her.
Gee, thanks, I never would have thought of that, genius. "Gee, thanks, I never would have thought of that, genius," she complained to him as she knocked on the door. Shortly after, the door opened to reveal the First Child, clad in a school uniform, and standing very close to Asuka. The pair locked eyes for a few seconds, Ayanami's blank face opposite Asuka's slightly startled one.
Once again, leave it to Asuka to get things started. "Are you going to invite us in, First?" She prompted.
The other girl looked from one newcomer to the other. "Why would I do that?" She asked flatly.
Fury built up in Asuka at the First Child's normal display of casual condescension. And there it is! Why did I expect anything else from her? She was about to turn and leave without offering a reply but was stopped by Shinji answering the other girl's question.
"That's the normal thing to do when friends come over, Ayanami-san," he said over Asuka's shoulder.
As if she doesn't know that, Idiot! Don't play into her superiority complex!
The First Child once again looked between her visitors and nodded almost imperceptively. "Very well. Come in, Second, Ikari-kun." She punctuated this by promptly turning around and walking into her apartment.
Is that really it? Asuka thought as she followed Ayanami inside, Shinji close behind her. There's no way—she has to be fucking with me. She moved to take off her shoes but stopped short of it. This floor is just as disgusting as the rest of this building. Instead, she headed further into the small apartment and began to take stock of the state of it.
No, this whole apartment is as bad as the rest of this building. What the fuck, First? She glared around at the dilapidated furniture, peeling and mold-stained walls, broken ceiling fan, and a dirty nightstand strewn with pill bottles next to a plain metal bed frame. Shinji busied himself setting his containers of leftovers down in the tiny kitchen area which Asuka had not even begun to scrutinize yet.
"We brought some stuff for you. Right, Asuka?" Shinji said to Ayanami, who was watching him work with a blank expression.
"Yeah, right, this is your new ID card," Asuka said absently as she pulled the card out of her pocket, offering it to Rei. This is no place for anyone to live. Let alone a pilot. How long has this been going on? How long did it go on?
Ayanami took the card, glancing briefly at Asuka before returning her attention to Shinji. "What are you doing, Ikari-kun?"
"I, uh, brought you some leftovers. We had a party earlier—umm, and there was too much food? Sorry, I hope you don't mind," he said.
Asuka was only tangentially paying attention to their conversation as she poked her head into the small bathroom. Disgusting. Just like I expected. First, do you seriously not see a problem living like this?
"I do not mind," Ayanami told him.
"Great," Shinji said. "Here, let's get them put away, and I'll show you how to pack them for—"
"First, explain something to me," Asuka interrupted, walking angrily over to the other girl. Ayanami turned to face her, her expression unchanged.
"What is it, Second?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? I mean, what are you, stupid?" She demanded.
"Asuka!" Shinji said indignantly.
"Shut up, Third," Asuka growled at him without looking his way Always trying to protect your precious doll. Well, for once, so am I. "How do you live like this?" She yelled at Ayanami.
"I do not understand your question," she replied calmly. "These are my assigned quarters. This is where I live."
"And it's a fucking shithole, First!" There's no way you're ok with this! What game are you playing?! "No one should live here, let alone a pilot! Look!" She demanded, gesturing vaguely all around the apartment. "It's filthy, falling apart, moldy—the place is a death trap! And the rest of the building is just as bad. Worse, even! Why would you want to live here?" Shinji was now also looking around the apartment, frowning and shaking his head. Yeah, you noticed too, Third. Why didn't you say anything? Did you think your food was enough to make up for your doll's shitty living conditions?
"These are my assigned quarters," Ayanami insisted again, her brows drawing ever so slightly together. "Conditions do not matter. If my ability to pilot were compromised, I could be replaced."
There's that bullshit again! I'm so sick of her attitude! "No!" Asuka told her. "I don't care what excuses you make." She pulled out her cellphone and called Misato. "I thought they liked you the best, but they stick you in this shitty building? I'm not going to stand for it." If they treat you like this, it's no wonder they just left me to die. Finally, Misato picked up her phone.
"Ah, Asuka? What is it? Don't tell me Kaji's gotten you guys in trouble," she began.
"No, this is serious, Misato," Asuka said darkly.
"Why are you always calling me at night with serious stuff to talk about," Misato sighed. "This is somehow work related, I presume?"
"You could say that," Asuka answered. "Have you ever been to the First Child's apartment?"
"Mm, no, I haven't," came the reply. "Should I have?" As the conversation went on, Shinji had begun to pick up bits and pieces of garbage littered around the kitchen area and dispose of them while Ayanami watched.
"Yes, you should have. I'll make this short, Misato: it's not fit for human habitation. Not even just the apartment; it's the whole building." Asuka glared at Ayanami as she continued to watch Shinji. Are you going to help him clean up your home, First? Or just let him do all the work? While she glared, she noticed Kaji slip into the apartment's entryway. Great. Another witness to this disaster. I can't believe I'm doing this for the First of all people.
"Not fit for—what do you mean, Asuka?" Misato's tone had turned serious.
"I mean that I wouldn't house the lowest scum of the earth in this shithole. I mean that it's a miracle Ayanami isn't riddled with diseases and open sores at all times. I mean—"
"Ok, I think I get it," Misato interrupted. She sighed heavily into the phone. "All right. Not to say I don't believe you, but I'm coming over right now to evaluate the situation for myself."
"Fine," Asuka said. "Get here quickly."
"You know I will," Misato assured her. With that, Asuka placed her phone away and turned to face Kaji fully. "Misato is on her way. I told her that Ayanami can't live here anymore."
Kaji was leaning against one wall, apparently unconcerned with the prospect of dirtying his clothes on contact with the grimy surface. "I think I agree with your assessment, Asuka," he informed her. "Ayanami, what do you think?"
The First Child looked away from Shinji's cleaning efforts to stare at Kaji. Asuka noticed a small shift in her facial features when she did so. What was that? Is she angry? That's the most I've ever seen her emote.
"I live where I am ordered to live," she replied with just a touch more aloofness than Asuka was used to hearing in her voice.
I think she is angry. But why? I'm helping her out, here. "Well, when Misato gets here, I'm sure you'll be ordered to live somewhere else," Asuka said in a huff. "Shinji, stop cleaning. That's a waste of time; she's not going to be here after a few more hours."
The boy stood up and looked around the apartment, seemingly at a loss for what to do. "Um—have you eaten dinner, Ayanami-san?" He asked her, gesturing at the leftovers he had brought.
"I have not," she informed him as she turned back to face him.
"Ok," he said with a small smile. "Well, the food should still be warm," he said as he washed his hands and began to open up some of the containers. "There's grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and—"
"I do not eat meat," Rei said flatly, looking into one of the containers.
Way to be ungrateful, First.
"That's ok," Shinji said, as he began going through the cupboards searching for something to put the food on. Finding a bowl he deemed sufficient, he offered it to Ayanami who took it carefully in her hands. Asuka caught sight of their hands briefly touching as the dish was exchanged, and she made her way over to the nightstand to investigate the bottles haphazardly strewn about it. "Just eat what you like, and next time I'll know what not to make for you," he said bashfully.
I know some of these, Asuka thought as her annoyance gave way to curiosity. Some pain medications, antibiotics, normal stuff for someone who was just covered in bandages. But I don't even recognize most of this stuff. Even with the extra practice with my Kanji.
"This will be sufficient," she heard Ayanami says, accompanied by the sounds of food being scooped into a bowl.
Asuka's focus was interrupted by Kaji placing a hand on her shoulder and peering over her head at the prescriptions she was investigating. "That's quite the drug regimen," he commented.
Asuka turned to face him, seeing Ayanami sipping soup out of a ceramic mug out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah. But she did just get out of the hospital. That's kind of normal, right?"
"Hmm," Kaji replied, picking up one of the bottles to take a closer look at it. "Maybe," he said, placing it back down. Any further comments he had to make were shut down by the sound of the front door opening, Misato strolling in.
"Sorry I took so long. I realized I forgot to ask where you live, Ayanami, so I had to call up Section Two for your address."
Misato, you got here in less than ten minutes! How fast were you driving? Whatever.
"So you see what I'm getting at, then?" Asuka asked her, stepping away from Kaji to stand in front of Misato with her arms crossed. Ayanami had not looked up from her meal, seemingly at ease with people barging into her apartment.
Misato took a careful look around the room, taking in the decay surrounding her. "Yes, I suppose I do," she said reluctantly, sighing deeply.
"And?" Asuka pressed her.
"And, yes, I agree, she shouldn't stay here. What do you think, Ayanami?"
The First Child glanced up at Misato, a bite of food halfway to her lips. "I live where I am ordered to live, Ma'am," she said simply before resuming her meal.
"Um, right," Misato said with a slightly confused expression. "Well, it's a process, so tomorrow I'll—"
"No," Asuka said hotly. "Tonight." I don't care how shitty the First is, no one deserves to be treated like this.
"Asuka, it takes time to make things like this happen. I'm already prepared to catch flak from the Commander for demanding a move on short notice—"
"So why does it matter if it's just a little bit of a shorter notice?" Asuka demanded. "Who cares about getting stupid paperwork started? You can do that later. The First needs better living conditions now, not tomorrow. You've got a spare bedroom—just have her stay there until you can work out something permanent."
Misato gave her a skeptical look, taking her chin into her hand in thought. "Well, it's more of a storage closet, really," she said quietly. She shook her head. "All right," came the Captain voice as she pointed at Shinji and Rei. "Ayanami, once you're done eating, pack a bag with a few days' worth of supplies. Shinji, you help her. Kaji will drive you back home once you're done; he'll help you set up the spare room for Rei."
She stepped over to Kaji and gave him a stern look, poking him in the chest. "You take care of them, ok? Stay with them tonight, I'm going to be busy at the office."
"Anything for you, Katsuragi," he smiled at her, affectionately holding the hand she had thrust at his chest between his own hands. She grimaced in response but did not struggle against his grip.
"Asuka, you come with me back to the Geofront." Orders issued, she wrenched her hand out of Kaji's and began walking out of the apartment. Asuka followed behind her, sparing a glance at Shinji and the First. The boy was standing with a rather dumbstruck look on his face, while the girl was quietly finishing her meal.
This was not how I expected dropping off an ID card to go.
Ω
Most of the way to the Geofront, Misato broke the silence between the two women in her car.
"You did well tonight, Asuka," she said.
Asuka, for her part, did not look away from lights she was watching speed by out of the passenger side window. "I couldn't let a pilot live in a place like that." Even if I hated Ayanami enough to want her to live in squalor like that, it goes against the plan to subject her to those kind of conditions.
"That's pretty much what I mean," Misato informed her. "You've taken your adopted role of pilot caretaker seriously, and you've done well at it, too. Shinji's synch rate is just part of it." She sighed and shook her head ruefully. "Pilot welfare is part of my job. You're showing me up, Asuka."
It's not hard to outperform someone who demonstrated such lack of care for her pilots. Asuka kept her silence rather than risk her bitterness shine through her voice.
"I don't want something like that to happen again," Misato continued, undeterred at the lack of response. "Not you taking care of your fellow pilots, I mean a pilot being shown such a lack of care. I can't believe I let Ayanami live like that for so long after I got here."
It's all of NERV, though, not just Misato. Especially the Commander. We're tools to be used and discarded once broken. Nothing more, as far as they're concerned. Of course, they're not prepared for what I have in store for them.
"I think I'm going to have to rely on you for more of this kind of stuff, Asuka," Misato said with a touch of regret in her voice. "There's only so much I can do as the superior officer for you guys. I mean, I can make things happen, but I can't always know everything you guys are going through. Some things comrades only share between themselves, you know?"
Ha! So, you're saying Ayanami is being ordered to be my friend? "I suppose that's right," Asuka said without affectation.
"Great! I know it's extra work for you, but with your little program going on it'll all happen naturally, I'm sure. Once you three are all best friends, I bet all your performances will be through the roof!" Misato grinned at Asuka, but it broke quickly. "I do have some bad news, though," she informed her.
Of course you do. "What is it?"
"You're going to help me do the paperwork tonight to request a permanent residence in the Geofront for Ayanami. I can take the dressing down for springing this on the command team first thing in the morning by myself, but, well, welcome to the bureaucracy: no good deed goes unpunished," she said with a theatrical sigh and wave of her hand.