The noise of the helicopter faded behind them as Misato led them across the deck, which was seemingly flat but felt like it was tilting under his feet. Thankfully the sensation did not make him nauseous, but he'd survived Misato's driving which was far more unnerving so maybe that had somehow helped. He wasn't entirely sure why they were there, surely meeting this new pilot Misato had refused to say anything about could have waited until she arrived. Still Kensuke seemed to be having fun, even if Toji looked a little green.

The wind from the helicopter's blades faded out as they spun down, replaced by the breeze generated by the ship's motion. Shinji wasn't really aware of that however, nor much of the scent of metal, oil and salt, because Misato was leading them towards the one splash of colour and he felt a weird sense of ... something. Almost like a fear he didn't want to run away from. Not that he could run away right now, being on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

She was standing on a piece of deck that was slightly higher than them. Kensuke could probably tell him what it was called at great length, he had no idea. It didn't matter.

He had never seen anything beautiful before. Well, supposedly he had, people told him paintings were beautiful, girls were beautiful, even mountains were beautiful. Sure some things were nicer to look at than others. He'd rather look at Mount Fuji than Misato's mountain of beer cans for instance. The girls in class were nicer to look at than the boys. He liked looking at Rei when he wasn't so embarrassed from doing something stupid to do so, possibly because except for rare occasions she always looked so calm. He'd never seen anyone who dug into his brain and replaced all the thoughts there.

He notices Toji running after his hat, but only because his head gets between him and those eyes for a moment.

"Asuka Langley Soryu," Misato introduces her to them. An unusual name to go with an unusual girl.

He doesn't notice the gust of wind, or the way her dress lifts, her scowl at whatever Toji did this time doesn't mar her face.

It isn't until her palm impacts his face that his brain restarts and he realises he's been staring.

"That's the viewing fee! It's a small price to pay!"

It was. It hurt a lot less than piloting the Eva. The reward was higher too.

"Well then, I'll show you mine..."

Shinji realises he's missed something important when he notices Toji dropping his pants. He looks away, this is worse than any of Toji's usual hijinks. Then the girl he'd been staring at is right in his face and he doesn't know what to do.

"Hmph! Doesn't look like much."

That was rather an insulting thing to say to someone you just met, even if she's right. Of course he doesn't. He tries his best not to stand out. He doesn't really want to be here. He doesn't want to pilot. He doesn't want anything more than to look in this girl's eyes. And no one is going to look like much compared to her.

"He did get a 40% synchronisation rate his first time, so don't be so quick to judge Asuka," Misato interrupted. That was the last thing he needed, Misato making him sound like a better than he was. He'd also fallen flat on his face a few minutes later.

"He what?! That's impossible!" Asuka was loud, and standing right in front of him. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't think of anything to say and if he did it would probably be the wrong thing. He managed not to look away as she stood right in front of him, her hands on her hips, a look in those incredible eyes that suggested she'd seen bugs that were more interesting, and looked him up and down again as if trying to find something that made him worth even being in her presence. For an eternity that lasted no more than a second or two their eyes met.

"Come on Asuka, I have to talk to the Admiral about your Eva," Misato interrupted as if nothing of import was happening.