Neon Senshi Evangelion
Chapter 33
Naoko Akagi was happy to be nowhere NEAR Fan Con. However, she was dealing with something even worse... talking to Yui Ikari via videoconference.
"Naoko," Yui said flatly.
"Yui," Naoko answered equally flatly.
Gendo, also roped in to keep order, sighed.
Naoko flicked a look at Gendo, wondering for a moment what she had seen in him. Mind you she had been lonely, he had been friendly and, in retrospect, she had built it up FAR too much in her mind. Add in working long hours and her not taking her meds and.. well...
Gendo cleared his throat.
"How is Misato?" Naoko asked about the only NERV staffer she cared about. "No more fainting issues?" she checked.
Gendo said, "No, thankfully. She says it was being overtired, but we're keeping a eye on her."
"What's the status of the captive Angel?" Naoko then asked. The idea of it reviving and attacking frightened her, though she could understand the need to study it.
"Still inert and frustratingly opaque to our efforts," Yui admitted, "it's resisting any attempts at material analysis."
"Well, the first one took a N2 mine to the face and lived," Naoko conceded.
"And we're nervous about using a AT Field near it," Gendo added.
"In case it triggers some automatic defense or awakens it," Naoko nodded grimly.
"Exactly," Yui agreed.
"Having any issues with Cave Johnson?" Gendo asked wryly.
"Ha!" Naoko snorted. "Caroline is MOSTLY keeping him from getting too involved here, but I understand he's busy in the US."
"Oh?" Yui asked, frowning.
"He wants to build his own Jet Alone... and they want to call it Liberty Prime," Naoko said to them dryly.
"... oh hell," Gendo sighed.
"At least he's not trying to build a Evangelion," Yui sighed.
"Don't give him ideas," Naoko said dryly.
"Ha," Gendo grunted.
"I think we've covered anything that needs covering," Yui noted. She added, "Can we expect to see you at the Fan Con?"
"GOD no," Naoko shuddered.
"We'll be in touch," Yui nodded and ended the call.
Naoko sat back, sighing. That... hadn't gone as bad as she had expected, actually.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Fan Con was running over three days, closed overnight. Thankfully. So about ten PM they locked up, then opened the doors again at six AM. Of course, for those running booths, you needed to get there early.
"Yawn," Kodama Hotaki yawned as she drank her coffee and waited to check in at the JHCI booth that morning.
"Morning," Haruka Tenoh also yawned. "Why do I have to help with this? I'm SECURITY." she wondered.
"Yeah, yeah," Kodama made a face.
"Ok, we have the Jet Alone model, fliers, and the banner," Haruka supervised their stand thoughtfully, "How else can we get people interested?"
"I am NOT dressing as a booth babe," Kodama told her.
"I was NOT going to suggest that," Haruka lied.
Kodama just LOOKED at her.
"It's too bad we couldn't rig up a Jet Alone simulator," Haruka quickly added.
"Too expensive and cumbersome," Kodama shrugged eloquently. She looked over Haruka, dressed in a simple uniform pants and jacket, looking handsome as usual, "At least we'll get women stopping to look."
Haruka just shrugged, well aware she was attractive.
"You're lucky you're so charming, or you'd annoy me," Kodama added.
"I get that alot," Haruka laughed.
"Nearly time for the doors to open," Kodama noted. "Ready?"
"Bring them on," Haruka agreed with a sigh.
"Just six hours until we get a break," Kodama noted. She added darkly, "Shingo owes me BIG for this."
"Make him take you out to dinner again," Haruka suggested.
"Yeah," Kodama smiled dreamily.
'I wonder if they've slept together?' Haruka wondered, then decided it wasn't her business.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Shinji Ikari was doing his best NOT to ogle the cosplayers and booth babes. Heck, even some of the dojin booths had girls in costume!
"Holy shit," Kensuke Aida blinked as a Street Fighter girl strode by in extremely skimpy robes.
"Helloooo," she looked Shinji over, amused.
"Eeep," Shinji managed.
"Lucky," Ken muttered.
Toji and Hikari were hanging back a bit, talking.
"Hey," Hikari said, "my sister is helping run the Jet Alone booth. Can we stop in there first?"
"Sure!" Ken agreed. "It's not as cool as Evangelion, but it IS pretty neat."
"Please don't say that in front of my sister." Hikari sighed.
Toji patted his girlfriend on the shoulder.
"Hi, Hikari," the somewhat older version smiled, dressed in a military style uniform.
At one side there was a CROWD of women talking to a handsome, blond dressed in a similar outfit to Kodama.
"Is he always like that?" Ken frowned.
"Yes SHE is," Kodama noted amused.
Shinji blinked, realizing the extremely popular person was a woman.
"Excuse me, ladies," she smiled charmingly, nearly making several faint.
"Haruka Tenoh, meet my sister Hikari and her classmates," Kodama introduced them.
"Charmed," Haruka took Hikari's hand and kissed it gracefully.
"Eeep," Hikari eeped, blushing furiously.
"Stop that," Kodama scolded Haruka.
"Sorry, habit," Haruka grinned.
Toji scowled at her, though Ken and Shinji both looked more amused.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Misato and Kaede were stuck watching the NERV booth on the second day, and Rei was along in her plugsuit as a booth babe.
"If anyone tried to grab you, tell me and I'll kick their ass," Misato told Rei.
Rei blinked at her, "Why would they...?"
Kaede noted, "Ah, young one, learn from your seniors this lesson: guys will grab at you if they get the chance."
"Even if you're kind of flat," Misato noted, looking at Kaede.
"I am NOT flat," Kaede sighed.
"Ha," Misato grinned.
Rei just shook her head wryly. Things were steady, and they had a fair number of people stopping, not to mention buying NERV merchandise.
"We sold out on T-shirts again," Kaede shook her head slightly.
"Here's Ritsuko... and Yui?" Misato blinked.
"I wanted to take a shift," Yui admitted, smiling wryly. "You two can take the rest of the day off," she ordered.
"Thanks," Misato smiled, "there's still some booths I haven't seen."
"I'm getting lunch," Kaede chuckled, hurrying off.
Misato was heading over to the dojin/self publishing section. She was hoping to see some new Sailor V stuff, then she was suddenly grabbed by the arm.
"Who..?" Misato blinked at the reddish brown haired woman about her own age.
The other woman looked at her searchingly, her eyes wide.
"Miss?" Misato prompted.
"Usagi..?" Naru Osaka asked, shocked.
To be continued...
Notes: Yes I'm evil ending it there.