15 years ago, on September 13th 2000…
The quiet world of the Antarctic had exploded into a cacophony of harsh light and sound. The wind and world screamed. Across the destroyed base, a lone man trekked. He ignored his own grievous wounds for the one thing that mattered in this alien world: the daughter he cradled in his arms. There, he saw it: the last and only remaining emergency capsule. All the others had been either crushed by falling debris or thrown into the walls by the wind. He propped his daughter against his shoulder and reached out, ignoring the pain that jolted through his nearly flayed arm to open it.
Behind him, the monster they awoke still wailed, its brilliant form illuminating the world through the gloom. Not much time left. He set his daughter into the capsule as gently as he could. Blood from his head wound dropped onto her cheek and she shuddered. She looked up at him, confusion on her face. "Father..." she whispered.
The capsule shut with a dull ker-chunk, preventing any more conversation. His mission done, the man collapsed onto the capsule and awaited the end.
Inside the capsule, his daughter didn't dare make a sound. The capsule rumbled then flipped over and over. She cried in surprise, "Father! D-Daddy!"
The capsule eventually came to a stop, slowly bobbing in the ocean waves where it must have tumbled. She sat up as much as she could, pressing the button to open the capsule. She flinched as she sat up, grabbing her injured side.
The world was much darker than it had been but an orange gloom still settled over it. Before her, where the facility had been, twin pillars of light extended from the ocean and into the atmosphere. Whatever they belonged to still wailed. She clenched her side harder.
Her father was gone.
Now, fifteen years later, Misato was getting dressed. She stared in the mirror, fingers ghosting over her chest and the scar there. It was best to forget that day but between the scar and what day it was...it was difficult.
Outside, it was a rainy day in Tokyo-3 but inside Misato's apartment, it was warm and dry. Shinji rushed back to the entryway, handing a pair of towels to a very wet Toji and Kensuke. "You're a life saver," Toji thanked him, toweling himself dry.
"It's really nothing," Shinji brushed him off.
"Are you here alone?" Kensuke asked.
"Miss Misato's getting ready for work and Asuka's sleeping in."
"What are you guys doing?" the girl in question poked her head out into the entryway.
"Hey, Asuka," Shinji greeted her, "We were all just gonna hang out here."
"Well, have fun with that," she shrugged, "I'm going to go get a shower," and with that, disappeared back in the hallway.
"Is it me or are you and the Red Devil on better terms?" Toji asked.
"We...came to an understanding last Angel fight," Shinji shrugged, "It's nothing really."
"Couldn't be me."
It was then Misato emerged from her room, fully dressed and ready for work. Seeing the trio of boys, she grinned, "Taking advantage of your mostly free day, huh?"
"Mostly?" Toji asked.
"Harmonics test. Remind Asuka in case she forgot and make sure the other two know too, alright Shinji?" Misato said.
He nodded in understanding. All through this, Kensuke had been scrutinizing Misato's coat. He suddenly stood up straight, "Congratulations on your promotion, Miss Misato!"
Toji straightened too, "Yeah, congrats!" even though he had no idea what he was congratulating her on.
Shinji blinked in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
Kensuke pointed to her collar, "Misato's got a different pin now, it means she's a Major now!"
"Of course you would know that, nerd," Toji commented.
Misato blushed in embarrassment, "Kids, it's really not all that special. But...thanks, I appreciate it."
Kensuke beamed and bowed, "You're most welcome!"
Toji followed suit, much deeper with his face fixed into a stoic respectful expression. All the while, Shinji just stood there, embarassed.
Misato laughed softly yet nervously, "Well, see you guys later," and she beat a hasty retreat out the door.
"See you!" Toji and Kensuke called after her.
"I think you put her on the spot," Shinji said.
"It's an honor getting promoted!" Kensuke defended.
"I wonder when she got promoted?" Shinji mused, "Must have been recently...maybe because how well she did during the last Angel fight."
"You haven't told us about that yet!" Kensuke pointed out, "And now's as good a time as any!"
The trio moved on into the kitchen where Shinji made them a breakfast of egg sandwiches. They all sat at the table while Shinji relayed the story of the battle with the lava Angel.
"So that's why Asuka's cool with you now. Because you saved her life!" Kensuke said.
Shinji, a bit flustered, nodded, "I would have done it for anyone else. Like I said, I really wasn't thinking."
"What are you dorks talking about?" Asuka asked as she came in, toweling her hair dry.
"I was telling them about the lava Angel," Shinji told her.
"And how he totally saved your butt!" Toji cut in.
Asuka scowled at him, his tone rubbing her the wrong way. She went into the kitchen to retrieve the egg sandwich left for her, "Yeah, yeah. No need to rub it in my face."
"Misato apparently also got promoted," Shinji leapt at the chance to change the subject.
"Did she?"
"Both of you are so inattentive," Kensuke shook his head, "She's got a new pin so she's Major Katsuragi now!"
"Hmph," Asuka huffed around a bite of her breakfast.
"Well, I've got an idea," Kensuke clapped his hands together, "Let's throw her a surprise party!"
"Do you think Misato would like that?"
"We can invite Rei and Kaworu obviously," Toji mused.
"Oooooh, can I invite Hikari?" Asuka asked, chipping in.
"Maybe my brother can even come? He'd love to meet Misato!" Kensuke said.
Shinji frowned as he was ignored. He hoped Misato would like the idea, though he doubted it. She didn't seem comfortable at all with Kensuke's lavishing of congratulations. If it was him, he wouldn't like all that at all. Too much attention. Oh well, he would enjoy spending time with his friends at least.
Kensuke insisted they leave right away to rope Kaworu and Rei into the scheme, reasoning it wouldn't be like they'd get wet going there. As they walked over, he talked logistics, "Since you pilots have got a test tonight, we'll have to do it tomorrow."
Asuka nodded in agreement, "That way we have more time. And Misato will probably be late anyway because of our tests. So tonight's definitely a no-go."
"Don't you think it's a little sudden?" Shinji asked.
Kensuke brought a finger to his lips, "No chance of it getting out. But we'll have to work double time!"
Shinji frowned. Seeing his apprehension, Toji told him, "Sorry, man. You know how he is; you can't get him off something once he gets a hold of it."
"If we all work together, it'll work out!" Kensuke said cheerily.
They visited Kaworu first who didn't need much convincing. In fact, if you asked Asuka, she'd say he seemed more excited than he ought to be.
Rei was second and it was a lot easier than expected. After Kensuke and Asuka explained the plan, she murmured thoughtfully, "I've never been to a party…"
"Even more reason to come then!" Asuka encouraged, "It'll be uh…"
"...good life experience!" Kensuke finished her sentence.
"And just fun," Toji shrugged.
"I think I'd like to come then," she agreed, "Since I've never been to a party."
The group split from there; the pilots going to NERV to get their harmonics test done and Kensuke and Toji to start planning the party.
The harmonics test went over like most did; boring but with promising results. Asuka's sync rate climbed steadily. She liked the idea of her mother being in cahoots with her even though it was more than likely she simply was gaining more experience and confidence.
Ritsuko observed, "Asuka and Rei's sync rates are getting better. But I think it's about time we pull them out for today."
Maya nodded, typing on her keyboard the command to begin the end sequence. "How about the other two?"
"Let's keep Shinji in a little longer. Kaworu…," she hummed in thought.
She gave his graph another look. Their current testing setup for him was a shadow of what it would be like when his own Eva was complete. The test plug was built on top of Unit 02's data; a reasonable guess considering his would too be a Production Model. His sync rate would most certainly improve once he got a real Eva. She decided, "Keep him as is."
Kaworu felt weird inside the test plug. It was empty and quiet in a way Unit 02 just wasn't. Inside 02 proper, he could feel the ghost of another; not interacting but hovering over him, watchful.
He had a hunch one of the reasons they put him in the test plug was to say they were doing something. It was no small secret that no one really knew what to do with a pilot with no Eva. Not to mention, he could tell the Commander was none too happy he was here at all. At least this way, they could say they were doing something with him.
Shinji was in his own plug, more bored than anything. The test plug felt like a pale imitation of the true Entry Plug, which was a place of pain and comfort. Pain like white hot tendrils or an all-encompassing laser. But comfort like...like it was a place that, beyond all odds, he was safe. Like he was protected. He had heard the stories of Unit 01 moving on its own...to protect him. So he could believe it.
"I'm not usually one for beliefs like that but he's got a gift for this. Even in the test plug," Ritsuko observed, "He's keeping pace with Asuka's sync rate."
Misato frowned, despite the praise at her charge, "I doubt he'd like to hear he's got a gift for something that hurts him."
She had said it quietly, so no one could hear her but despite this, Ritsuko did. An uncomfortable expression flickered across her face before she angled herself further from her. She said, "I think it's time to pull him and Kaworu out too."
She pressed the comm button and praised the group, "Good job. You all are doing well."
After unloading the pilots, they were allowed to strip from their plugsuits and back into their civilian wear before being debriefed. The quartet sat down with Ritsuko and Misato to learn of their results. Ritsuko looked at her printout before she explained, "All four of you are improving, even you Kaworu with our less-than-optimal setup. Shinji's gone up eight points and Asuka's just behind with seven."
Shinji beamed, "Really? Wait...that means I'm in the lead?"
"It's not a competition," Ritsuko lightly chastised, "But yes—just barely. I wouldn't be surprised if next week Asuka was ahead again."
Asuka stifled the dying part of her that insisted even a week behind was a failure. She pumped her fist in the air, "So don't get comfortable up there, Shinji!"
"As for the other two...Rei, you're improving like those two albeit at a slower rate. Kaworu, same story but even slower. I wouldn't worry too much though. I'm hoping once we receive your proper Eva, we can see your true scores."
"Do you need me to stay behind for further testing then?" Kaworu asked.
"Nope. You're free to go enjoy the rest of your day," she paused and teased, "Especially you Kaworu, as it's a special day."
"Huh?" Shinji and Asuka chorused.
Kaworu immediately looked away, uncharacteristically sheepish. Misato chuckled, "Oh, you didn't tell 'em? It's his birthday!"
Shinji gasped, "Why didn't you tell us?!"
Asuka joined in, "Yeah, can't be me!"
"It always felt a little weird," he admitted, "After all, something terrible also happened today fifteen years ago."
"It's not like that's your fault!" Shinji protested.
Misato suggested, "Kids, how about you go bother Kaworu about it outside and we leave Ritsuko to her loads and loads of work."
She added as an aside to her, "You really need a break."
"Maybe one day," Ritsuko smiled helplessly.
With that, the quartet left. Shinji and Kaworu went ahead, leaving Rei and Asuka to go to their own locker room to pick up their things. Now alone, Rei told Asuka, "I cannot help with the party preparations as I have further tasks here at NERV."
Shooting her a raised eyebrow, Asuka asked, "What for?"
"A checkup with Dr. Akagi."
"A checkup...hold on that's perfect!" Asuka grinned, "You can tell her about the party and see if she wants to come."
"Dr. Akagi did say she was quite busy."
"Exactly why it's perfect she get a break! Oh, and tell her to pass the message to Kaji. So even if she can't come, he can."
Rei nodded, "Alright, I shall."
She said her goodbyes to Asuka as she left to regroup with the boys. Unlike before when she didn't care, Rei did care now when her upload was. It being tonight meant she was free tomorrow for the planned party. Would Dr. Akagi be happy about receiving an invitation? She didn't really know the doctor well enough to say. But...somehow, she felt curious at the doctor's reaction.
The trip down to Terminal Dogma was ingrained into her bones by now. She could probably walk there in her sleep. Here in the elevator as it ticked down into the secret depths of NERV, all the company she had was the sound of the machinery around her. Down here, it was colder and, absentmindedly, she rubbed one bare arm.
She exited the elevator, following a well-remembered path into a small medical room where Dr. Akagi was waiting. She smiled, "Good, you're right on time."
"I came right here."
"As I expected. What I said to you all earlier does apply to you: I want you to be able to enjoy the rest of your day."
"I...have plans. Asuka wanted me to inform you of a party for Major Katsuragi's promotion."
Ritsuko's eyes actually widened, "You're holding a party?"
"Asuka, Shinji and friends are," she corrected, "But I was told to invite you."
"Invite me?" for some reason, Dr. Akagi didn't seem to expect it.
Rei nodded, "Yes. Whether or not you can, could you inform Mr. Kaji as well? He's invited too."
"Kaji, I can understand," she turned away from Rei, idly shuffling the papers on the side desk, "Still, kind of you all. I'll try though I make no promises."
"I see."
"Anyway, let's get this done. You know the procedure."
As she watched Rei leave to get out of her clothes, Ritsuko thought to herself, Rei's acting differently.
She smiled softly to herself. It wasn't a bad different. In fact, she liked this slightly more open Rei better than the unsettling and impassive person she was months ago, just prior to Shinji's arrival. The Commander...didn't need to know about her change in demeanor. He could do something drastic and frankly, the less time she spent around that tank...the better.
When the trio of Asuka, Shinji and Kaworu left NERV, they continued their needling of Kaworu.
"I've got it!" Asuka declared, "The party will be both to celebrate Misato's promotion and Kaworu's birthday!"
"You really don't have to," he began once more to protest.
"Prettyboy, you're missing a prime joke here," Asuka ignored his protest, "You can say you're the second worse thing to come outta the year 2000!"
"Asuka!" Shinji cried.
"What! People use humor to cope!"
Shinji gave her a disapproving scowl before he turned to Kaworu, "We should celebrate it anyway. I haven't been to all that many birthday parties...or had any myself."
"Fine," Kaworu hung his head, "Only because of that, Shinji."
"Now, what's your favorite cake flavor?" Asuka asked.
Kaworu groaned.
The next day came fast and once it started waning into the late afternoon, work began. Asuka had left early in the day to get a cake for Kaworu and ended up finding a surprisingly Western bakery where she was able to get the flavor he picked: cherry. Shinji was on cooking duty—though he volunteered rather than be assigned. He still felt weird about the whole thing but more for Misato's sake than Kaworu's. He, maybe selfishly, wanted to celebrate his friend's birthday. He had even been able to get a last-minute present the previous evening.
"Are you really sure Misato'll be happy with all this?" he asked from the kitchen.
Asuka was in the living room, setting up her game console. Her answer was casual, "It's a party! Of course, she will! Everyone loves a party!"
He could argue with that. He sighed, "She'll probably take it as an excuse to drink."
"You're probably right," Asuka shrugged, "Too bad none of us can buy alcohol or we could have gotten her something better than the swill she drinks."
"What would you know about alcohol?"
"In Germany, you can drink as young as fourteen!" she paused and added, "...with supervision."
The doorbell rang and she temporarily abandoned her task to answer the door, "Someone's here!"
It was Toji and Kensuke along with an older man with glasses. Asuka squinted, "You are…?"
Shinji poked his head into the entryway and smiled, "That's Goichi, Kensuke's brother!"
The man in question smiled, "Guilty as charged. Ken invited me along since I'd love to meet the Major. And I'd never turn down free cake."
Asuka narrowed her eyes, "So another nerd."
Goichi smiled, challenging her, "And I've heard all about you."
The pair held the others' gaze, neither willing to give an inch...until Goichi gave in, "All good things however. I've even seen you in action," he jerked his head in the direction of Kensuke's camera in his hand, "Or perhaps I didn't...after all, we're not allowed to have something like that."
Asuka smirked, "I think I like you."
She led the trio inside where they sat down in the living room. Kensuke immediately took up helping Asuka finish setting up her game console. Shinji asked, "Aren't you guys a little early?"
Asuka called from the living room, "On a good day, she'll be home in an hour or so."
While she did that, Goichi took the opportunity to bring the bags they had brought along into the dining room. Shinji turned his attention to the bags he was unloading, full of bags of chips and soda. He frowned, "That didn't cost too much, did it?"
Goichi waved him off, "Don't sweat it, Shin. Why don't you take a second?"
His frown didn't drop but he did step into the living room to sit with his friends. He sat beside Toji and asked, "So, uh, how's your sister doing?"
"Better everyday!" Toji beamed, "Her physical therapy sessions are doing wonders so she might be able to come home in a couple months or so."
"That's great! We'll have to go visit again sometime soon…"
The next person to arrive was Kaworu with cupcakes in hand. He said sheepishly as Asuka ushered him in, "I know you brought a cake for me but I felt I should bring something anyway."
"No, no, this is great!" she took them from him and transferred it into the fridge for the time being.
Shinji had returned to the kitchen to attend to dinner proper. He was currently cooking some pork, humming a tune to himself and in a noticeably less high strung mood. Kaworu hovered over him, "Pork?" he asked.
Shinji nodded, "Me n' Asuka decided we're going to make some proper ramen bowls. They're easy to make and this way, Misato can have some good, actual ramen."
"You think she'lll appreciate it?"
"I hope so. Asuka thinks she'll find it funny," Shinji shrugged.
Kaworu chuckled at the idea, "So how can I help?"
"You want to help?! But this is just as much your party as it is Misato's," Shinji protested.
"I want to help," Kaworu pressed.
Shinji sighed then gestured to the fridge, "If you really want to, there's some scallions and garlic in the fridge. Could you cut them?"
With a salute, Kaworu smiled and did just as requested. For some time, the pair worked on their own tasks, Kaworu humming as he did. Finally, Shinji asked, "What's that you're humming?"
"Beethoven's 9th, Ode to Joy. Do you like it?" he asked in return.
He nodded, "It sounded familiar."
"It's my favorite. Do you have a favorite?"
Shinji hummed in thought then shook his head, "I guess I never put that much thought into it."
"That's fine. All music is good. It's the pinnacle of your culture."
"Japanese?" Shinji raised an eyebrow.
"All human culture," Kaworu smiled, perfectly sincerely.
Shinji kept his gaze for a few moments more before he returned the smile, "I think you're right," before he returned to his task.
Back in the entryway, Asuka was ushering in the next two guests: Rei and Hikari who had incidentally met up in the hallway and walked the rest of the way to their apartment. She told them, "I'm so glad you two could make it!"
Rei told her, "I also told Dr. Akagi. She said she cannot promise anything but she'd pass the invitation on to Mr. Kaji."
Hikari meanwhile looked around Asuka and asked, "You think the apartment will fit everyone?"
"We'll make it work!"
Time passed quickly and before anyone knew it, it was nearing time for Misato to come home. Asuka had instructed everyone very seriously to be on alert. Finally, the door opened to the yawning and tired Major, who hadn't even yet noticed anything was amiss.
Kensuke lead the charge with a cry of, "Congratulations, Miss Misato!"
She shot to attention, hands gesturing wildly. She froze and blinked, taking in the gaggle of people and food piled on her kitchen table. She asked, "Wha?"
Asuka explained, "It's a party! For your promotion! Oh and a belated birthday party too!"
Misato entered the house, shrugging off her jacket. "You...all of you?" she still seemed bewildered.
So bewildered, she beat a hasty retreat into her room. Goichi asked into the silence, "Did that go well?"
"Er...I don't know," Kensuke admitted.
A few minutes later, Misato emerged, now in her casual clothes. She surveyed the group and sighed overdramatically, "How the hell did you all put this together without me knowing?"
She stopped on Goichi, squinted her eyes then asked, "Wait, who are you?"
He shot right up, ramrod rigid, "Goichi Aida, Kensuke's brother! Er, Major!"
She gave a weak and awkward smile, "Well, uh, you can just call me Misato."
She followed Shinji to the kitchen where he was dutifully starting the noodles. She retrieved a beer from the fridge, draining half of it in one swallow. She looked over at Shinji and asked him, "You need help?"
He shook his head, "It's almost done anyway. How about you go wait?"
She obeyed, finding herself a place at the table. Asuka trailed into the kitchen. Misato took another long sip then told her, "Thanks really. This is really kind of you guys."
"Eh, it was Kensuke's idea."
"Looks like you all pitched in."
"But it was I! Kensuke Aida! Who was the mastermind!" Kensuke had followed her in and behind him, the others filtered in, either taking seats at the table or lounging around.
Goichi, just behind him, chuckled at his antics. Misato smiled sheepishly at the younger Aida, "In that case, thank you."
Shinji brought out Misato her own bowl of ramen, loaded with pork, scallions, mushrooms and even half a hard-boiled egg. He waited expectantly as she tried it. It tasted just as good as from a ramen stand—no, even better! Kaworu grinned, "I think it's a winner."
Misato nodded happily as she scarfed it down. Kaworu retreated to the kitchen with Shinji to help him dole out the bowls, ignoring his protests that it was also his party and that, once again, he didn't have to help.
"Shinji did a phenomenal job with this," Misato commented.
The man himself had returned to pass a bowl to Asuka and smiled sheepishly, "You think so?"
"Nah. I know so!"
Shinji blushed furiously at the comment. Goichi, digging into his own bowl, teased, "We'll have to invite you over sometime so you can make us this too!"
"Don't do that," Kensuke warned, "He won't say no."
"Oh, Toji," Shinji took the excuse to slightly change the subject, "I made a container for Sakura too...if she can have it."
"Wow, man!" Toji grinned, "That's awfully kind of you! You should come visit her with me so you can give it to her yourself!"
"Well, I guess I did say we should go visit her," he trailed off.
In time, they got all the food doled out and everyone made conversation among themselves. Shinji sidled in beside Misato, quietly eating his own share of ramen. Catching on, she asked, "How are you doing?"
He looked up at her, somewhat helplessly, "I'm alright...just a lot of people."
He looked over at Asuka, who was arguing with Toji and Kensuke that they should act more like gentlemen, like perhaps Kaji. Kensuke had pointed out that Kaji hadn't even come so what sort of gentleman was he? Goichi was watching this with an air of bemusement and Hikari was scolding them for bickering. Like last time, she was holding onto Pen-Pen, who seemed to have accepted his fate. Shinji frowned, "They're just really loud."
"That's what happens when you get a bunch of people together. Hey, how about we put the bowls away and get the cake ready?"
He smiled gratefully at her and stood up. Once they were done collecting the bowls, Shinji rinsed them while Misato took out the cake. She noted that this time he didn't seem to mind her helping, even if it was her party.
He asked, "So the promotion...means people are acknowledging you're doing well?"
She nodded as she opened the container, "Yeah, I suppose."
He furrowed his eyebrows, "You haven't seemed really excited about it. Everyone else seems more excited than you are."
"I'm having fun but...getting praise ain't why I do what I do."
Shinji looked back at her then nodded, "I know. It's just feels odd, is all. I thought everyone liked praise, no matter if its why they did what they did or not."
Misato wanted to ask him if praise was why he did what he did—but let the thought die before she voiced it. It was a really personal question for what was supposed to be a fun and carefree night.
Together, the pair began doling out cake and once they did that, everyone gathered around to sing a loud, albeit off-key rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to a furiously flustered Kaworu. After, everyone peeled off to do their own things. Asuka, Toji and Kensuke went into the living room to set up a fighting game between bites of cake. Asuka was also trying to coax Rei into trying to play with them, "C'mon, Hikari won't play and we need a fourth player!"
"I can't, I've got a reputation," Hikari reiterated.
Rei said softly, "I don't know how to."
Asuka held the controller out to her, "We can teach you."
Rei regarded it then took it with a cheer from Toji and Kensuke. "Why don't you want to play?" Shinji asked Kaworu, who he had sat beside, "You had fun that one time."
Kaworu smiled, "I was waiting for you to return."
Shinji blushed faintly then passed over a brightly wrapped box he had brought with him, "...this is for you."
"For me?"
"It's for your birthday."
Kaworu turned the box over and over in his hands. Shinji was the only one to have given him a gift. Asuka, the only other person who might have given him one, had forgotten to buy him one and had made him let her buy him a drink to make up for it the previous day. He didn't fault her for it. After all, he hadn't planned to tell anyone before Ritsuko let it out.
He carefully unwrapped the wrapping to find a CD player and a pair of CDs; one of "unknown" classical pieces and another with jazz pieces. He smiled, "I love it. I can put these in my stereo too while I'm at home."
Shinji nodded eagerly, "I thought about that! Oh, I'm so glad you like it!"
They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the others until Kaworu asked, "What were you and Misato talking about in the kitchen, if I may ask?"
"Oh, just Misato didn't seem terribly excited about this and I was worried. But she seems alright with letting us have our fun."
Kaworu grinned, "If you ask me, I think Kensuke went ahead with this just so everyone can have fun, and less to actually celebrate."
The pair glanced at Misato who was sitting on the couch, watching Asuka and the boys attempt to teach Rei the art of video games. Goichi was beside her, a bit tense, but still called out suggestions to the kids.
Shinji mused, "I guess fun's important in its own way."
Kaworu nodded, "Constant fighting would run us down."
"That's probably why Misato insists on still sending us to school. For some level of normalcy."
They settled down to eat cake and watch the others play their first match of the robot fighting game Asuka had picked out. Rei had gotten the hang of it, applying the same attitude of real battle to play battle. Kensuke cried, "I can't believe it!" as she won her first match against him.
"Say, Kaworu," Shinji said again, "I heard you've got an admirer."
"That's true. I have to send a response back here soon."
"Do you...know who it is?"
Kaworu tilted his head, weighing Shinji's motivations. Did he have an idea already that Kaworu knew or not? He answered, "Not yet. Are you curious?"
"I mean, who wouldn't be?!" he said quickly and perhaps too defensively.
"That's fair," Kaworu shrugged, "I don't know but I do want to know more about them."
The doorbell rang and Asuka shot up like a shot, "That might be Kaji or Ritsuko!"
As she went to answer, Misato commented, "Leave it to Kaji to be fashionably late. Ritsuko, I can understand."
With Asuka absent, Rei mercilessly knocked her fighter out. "Harsh," Kensuke commented.
"She didn't pause," there was an uncharacteristic note of playfulness in her tone.
The newcomers were indeed Ritsuko and Kaji in casual wear. Kaji waved, "Look, we made it!"
Asuka stepped aside to let them in. Ritsuko said, "I got a moment away from work. I don't know what Kaji's excuse for being late is."
Kaji walked past her and stopped just behind the couch. He grinned at Misato, "I heard about your promotion, congratulations. I guess I don't get to gripe at you anymore."
"You say that like you'd stop," she shot back.
"Well, I mean someone up top trusts you to hold the fort down. The Commander and Vice Commander are out of Japan, leaving it to you. That counts for something, right?"
Shinji twisted to face him, "Father's not here?"
"Nah, heard something about him visiting the South Pole."
Beside Misato, Goichi's expression said that he felt like he shouldn't be hearing this. Taking it in stride, Misato commented, "That's odd."
"You didn't hear it from me," Kaji raised his hands in surrender, "Now, I was told there'd be cake?"
The South Pole was an alien world now. The night sky was an ever-present purplish red, like a bruise that refused to fade. Where glaciers were once now stood pillars of salt. Cutting through the night sky were auroras, dancing as if the world below hadn't descended into hell. A fleet of ships cut through the sea, the largest carrying tarped-over cargo. From the deck, Commander Ikari and Vice Commander Fuyutski surveyed the waters. It was silent, save for the roar of the waves. It was much warmer than it had been decades before. Fuyutski mused, "A world of death where life is no longer permitted. One may say it's no longer of this world but of Hell."
"Nevertheless, we are here and we are alive," Gendo countered, "We even hold dominion over Hell and perhaps, one day Heaven."
If Fuyutski thought too hard of why each wanted to conquer Heaven, his heart would hurt. He pointed out, "We are under the protection of science."
"The power of man truly is science,"
Fuyutski gave the alien landscape another long glance, "The power of science and hubris. That's what defines man. That's what gave rise to the tragedy of fifteen years ago. Now, here is our great punishment: a truly dead sea."
"Perhaps but this is also a world purged of the original sin," Gendo's flat facade didn't lift but there was a smile in his words.
The idea of Second Impact merely being a trial gone wrong lodged itself into Fuyutski's brain. "I'd prefer a world stained with sin rather than one where life no longer lives," he murmured.
If Gendo heard him, he made no more response to confirm it. Maybe it didn't matter if he did or not.
Author's Note:
The first big change is you'll find Matarael's chapter is no more! I began to rewrite it and just wasn't having any fun with it. After reviewing it, I figured it wasn't adding anything that wasn't already present; the rest of the fic has plenty of time with the pilot quartet interacting and there'll be an explanation later as to why I could afford to toss out more on Shinji's relationship with his father. The opening I did write will find an appearance a bit later.
For this chapter, it was largely dedicated to tightening up things and rewriting it so it didn't feel as stiff. Kaworu's birthday was somewhat of a last-minute addition because one of my regrets in the original wasn't pointing it out and this is even lampshaded in the fact he hadn't planned on telling anyone! The last scene most certainly could have been cut but something you're going to learn going forward is I kinda love to write Gendo being philosophical and wordsy.