Standard disclaimer!!!
I'm not dead! Just really taxed for time ^_^ sorry for the delay.
As some of you may have read in other stories by me, My time is heavily taken by
classes and work but I'll keep trying! Hope you keep reading.
--------------------------------------------------
Mana: Touji, I should don't think I want to know, but why are you wearing that?
Touji knocking on door: It's a costume dance isn't it? And I could as you the
same.
Mana dressed in a red Chinese dress and has her hair in a pony tail: Ranma-chan
is a cool character…and I don't have to change my hair color that much.
Touji dressed in a red top with a Nergal signal and black pants: Guy Daigouji
rules and you know it!
Mana: No, I just think you're lazy. Do they dress up too?
Touji: This is your first Halloween here isn't it. Yeah they do.
Shinji opens door: Hi guys nice costumes.
Touji:…DUDE you look AWESOME!!
Mana:…Shinji…
Shinji dressed in a white kimono with gold ciclets on the back, a kitana and
nodachi at his side: Watching some old anime and Yukimura Sanada seemed a nice
choice today.
Mana: Hope it's not too hard to take off…
Touji: Ah damn don't start with that stuff this early we still have the movie to
watch.
Mana: Movie?
Asuka rounds corner: It's a tradition now. We watch a horror movie before the
nights events. Misato picked this one out.
Mana/Touji: I think your taking the red obsession to far.
Shinji: I think its cute.
Asuka with her hair puffed out a pink top and black shorts on: Parfait was such
an great character I had to do an homage to her.
Mana: Bull you knew Shinji would like it and that's why you did it.
Asuka: Fridge benefit, right baka?
Shinji nearly drops his weapons as the blush on his face increases: Um…
Touji: You still need help man…where's Misato?
Asuka: Putting the finishing touches on a nightmare waiting to happen.
Shinji: Whatever you guys do…don't upset Rei today.
Touji/Mana: She gets upset?
Asuka/Shinji pale: Today she does.
Rei: You were talking about me?
Shinji: No…nothing bad Rei…
Rei wearing a large red robe and mirrored glasses: Didn't I tell you to call me
Rei-chan?
Mana: Like hell he will and you look terrible in red.
Asuka/Shinji: DAWMIT!
Mana: Where is that music coming from?
Rei throws off her cape to reviel a tight fitting black bodice and a spool of
thread in her hand: OH-H0-H0
Mana/Touji: Crap, wait why is she…
Rei leaning on Shinji: Call me queen.
Shinji: I told you guys! Now could we watch the movie now?
Mana/Asuka: As soon as Rei puts something on other than underwear.
Touji: Tira Misu, freaks all of you…NOW WHERE IS MISAT…oooo.
Misato dawning a low cut green shirt with large shoulder pads and very short
shorts. Her hair now dyed blond is tied in a large ponytail: Illapolazo-sama!
Shinji: THAT ISN'T MY NAME!!
Touji: I knew that's who I should have came as…DAMN!
Misato: Excel doesn't care! Lets watch the movie MASTER!
Rei: Can I take the robe off again and kill her?
Asuka: Later when we don't have witnesses.
Mana drags Shinji to the couch and sits by him: Lets watch this I'm in for a
good scare.
Misato: It's a psychological thriller this time.
Shinji/Touji: That means no blood right?
Asuka: Good that means lil-miss-spy can't get all clingy.
Mana: Don't see why not.
Rei: Where is the cd with the music on it?
Misato: Tossed it out the window now lets start!
Remaining costume clad individuals take up seats and Misato starts the movie.
>>>been awhile but look fo >>> ok? Didn't forget did you?
My Lovely
undefined
undefined
More...
>>>Touji: How can something be undefined more?
>>>Rei: The NERV censors wrote it.
undefined
[Close]
undefined
[Close]
undefined
My Lovely
>>>Shinji: Misato, how is this scary?
>>>Misato: It was in the horror section?
>>>Asuka: Did you read the box?
>>>Misato stares off into space while the others just groan.
By Rhine
There are not enough words on this earth to describe what I feel for you. I
watch you from afar - always from afar. I can't express the pure ecstasy I feel
when I see you. You are my reason for waking in this cold, stale city.
>>>Asuka: Its one of my many fans!
You are the light in my sky.
God, you are so… my Lovely.
>>>Touji: And that person is obsessed. SWEET!
>>>Mana: Asuka has a stalker!
So pure, so innocent yet touched by sadness. I can see it. In your eyes is pain.
But it has not ruined you. It has only made you more... my Lovely.
I want to touch you. Just once.
>>>Rei: I like this movie already.
>>>Misato: Um, why?
>>>Rei: Asuka's zeal for attention finally backfires.
But I can't. I must stay afar - always from afar.
It is my duty to stay afar. To watch you, protect you. My Lovely. I stand in
shadows for you, all for you. It is the least I can do. Keep you safe, while you
are not in your giant toy.
>>>Shinji: Section 2 agents need mental screenings right?
>>>Mana: They can have at max three mental instabilities.
>>>Asuka: MY UNIT-2 ISN'T A TOY!
I worry. Oh, how I worry! I hurt. Hurt that you cannot see me, but in glimpses
and glances. For it is my duty to stay hidden. And afar.
I will follow you.
I will protect you.
I will watch you.
>>>Touji: I will send you dead animals.
>>>Mana: I will think nasty thoughts about you.
>>>Misato: I will not clean any body part that touches you.
I shall, my Lovely.
[]====[]
"Well, kids, how did you like the hot springs? Pretty great, huh? Especially
after playing around in all that magma," Misato Katsuragi said, as she drove her
two charges back to Tokyo-3.
>>>Asuka: I don't remember you doing anything at all.
>>>Misato: I don't work I supervise.
>>>Rei: I question why.
It had been a long day, what with the failed
attempt to capture the eighth angel and its subsequent termination and all. She
had left the shipping of the two Eva's to Ritsuko. Misato grinned a little at
that.
>>>Mana: Do you do any work in a given day?
>>>Shinji: Delegating her jobs to other people is work.
"It would have been better if the moron back there hadn't hit me the shampoo
bottle," Asuka said, turning to look out the front passenger's side window.
>>>Touji: I guess that's her way of thanking you for saving her life?
>>>Rei: She didn't hit him after the bottle incident.
"I said I was sorry, Asuka," Shinji said, shrinking away from her in the back
seat.
"You're always sorry," she retorted. "Why do you even still live with us? We
don't need to synchronize our biorhythms anymore. Shouldn't you be gone by now?"
>>>Mana: He could always move in with me, we have room.
>>>Misato: Asuka you hear that, you can move in with Mana.
>>>Mana/Asuka: That's not what she/I said!
>>>Misato: Yeah, but Shinji came first so if anybody leaves…
"Actually, we're keeping you two together," Misato interjected with a grin. "We
don't want you two to live apart and then kill each other when you do have to
work together. That, and the red tape's a bitch."
>>>Rei: So they live together since you lazy?
>>>Misato: And the whole killing thing too.
"I should have known it'd amount to laziness on someone's part," muttered the
redhead.
>>>Asuka: Damn I'm smart in this movie.
>>>Rei/Touji: Fiction doesn't reflect reality.
"Well, don't worry about that. I'm going to have to read, write, and shred more
than my fair share of paperwork all this coming week," Misato said, taking a
turn faster than the posted speed limit advised. "Consider this a test to see
how well you two can get along without parental supervision."
>>>Shinji: Don't we do that now?
>>>Rei: Katsuragi hardly seems fit for motherhood.
"You're not our parent," Asuka muttered, causing the Captain to frown.
>>>Misato: If I was you'd not be so rude.
"Thank God for small favors," Shinji replied softly, earning a small grin from
his purple-haired guardian and commanding officer.
"Fine. Since it's obvious you two are teaming up against me, what do you want us
to do? The rest of the class is still in Okinawa."
>>>Misato: Normally I'd say something like hot-monkey-love but nowadays…
>>>Shinji: DON'T GIVE THEM IDEAS!
>>>Misato: Exactly.
"Have you caught up on your studies?" Misato asked, smirking.
"Yeah, we're all caught up," Shinji answered, surprising Asuka by speaking for
the both of them. She still had to work on some of her kanji exercises, and she
was almost certain he hadn't finished his physics work.
>>>Touji: You don't know kanji?
>>>Asuka: I do now!
>>>Rei: Then why is your primer empty?
"Aren't we just a good little worker bee?" she sneered.
>>>Asuka/Rei/Shinji: No we're slaves.
"Well, if you guys don't have anything better to do, you can take some synch
tests when we get back," said Misato in her cheeriest voice.
"Oh please! I just fought an angel with no support whatsoever! I think I should
at least be able to enjoy a couple days of peace and quiet!" Asuka exclaimed.
>>>Rei: If memory serves, it was Shinji that helped you win.
>>>Asuka: HOW! It was the coolant tank that did it.
>>>Touji/Misato: Would you have remembered if he didn't ask for help earlier?
Misato rolled her eyes. She didn't want to set off the irate German by telling
her that she had had assistance. Nor did she want to mention the chewing out
Shinji'd gotten for potentially losing Eva Unit-01 against orders. Shinji had
taken the reprimand with a blank look on his face, almost a ghost of a smile.
She hoped her little hedgehog wasn't going to make a habit of disobeying orders.
>>>Shinji: Hedgehog?
>>>Misato: Can't have him telling me no! THAT CAN'T HAPPEN!
>>>Touji: Ok, that creeped me out a bit.
"Well," she said, drawing out the word. "I suppose you two do deserve to have a
little fun. You are kids, after all."
Asuka almost balked at being called a child, but didn't say anything that might
jeopardize her leisure time.
"How about I give you guys some cash and you two can have a mini night on the
town tomorrow night?"
>>>Shinji/Asuka: When did you get money?
>>>Misato: Since I taped a few things myself and sold them.
>>>Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Mana all pale and shut up.
"What? Like paying us?" Shinji asked from the backseat, a trace of humor in his
voice. Misato almost chuckled.
"With him?! You've gotta be kidding me!" Asuka shouted, her voice seemingly
louder in the confines of the small sports car.
>>>Mana: And louder than the speaker could handle, I think my cloths are
pressed!
"In case you have forgotten, Asuka," Misato said. "Shinji did spend the same
amount of time in LCL as you did. While not as vital a role, Shinji did help out
a little and is entitled to the same benefits as you. Even if he did ruin
Unit-01's paint job."
>>>Rei: Why did you have to disobey orders?
>>>Asuka: I can't believe you'd kill me for that damn purple paint.
"Sorry," Shinji said meekly from the backseat, remembering the admonishment.
Asuka turned her nose up and just looked out the window, grunting her
disapproval and frustration.
"Fine," she said haughtily. "But make sure there's plenty of Section 2 agents
around in case this pervert starts having ideas about getting fresh with a
lady!"
>>>Mana: Asuka's secret lover will have a field day now!
>>>Misato: Maybe we need section 3 agents to spy on the section 2.
"Who are you calling a pervert?" Shinji said, more than a little displeased at
the apparent lack of gratitude or even civility.
>>>Asuka: Shinji's sticking up for himself?
>>>Mana: I like this movie.
"I'm calling you a pervert, pervert! Do you think I've forgotten that you almost
kissed me in my sleep?!"
Shinji winced at the reminder. He was tempted to lash out at her in a similar
manner - bring up why the Great Asuka Langley had been crying for her mother in
her sleep. Instead, he sighed in defeat, sucking it up. He would ask later,
maybe. When he wasn't feeling vindictive or something.
>>>Shinji: Thank Kami-sama I have a brain in this…I'd have been killed.
>>>Touji: Movie not over yet, Asuka's stalker could see you as a threat.
Asuka narrowed her eyes when Shinji seemed to deflate and turn away from her.
Fine, if he wanted to ignore her, so be it. She would show him.
"So," Misato said, trying to keep the mood light. "What were you guys hoping to
do with your newfound windfall?"
>>>Rei: Find a place to hid the body.
>>>Mana: Find a nice soundproof room, 'smiles at Shinji.'
>>>Shinji: Hide.
[]====[]
I am here for you.
Always here. My shadows greet you as you return home from your dangerous
mission. My eyes focus on your smiling face, jovial in victory. Today you have
proven your worth yet again.
Oh yes. I know what lies in your heart.
>>>Rei: Blood and oxygen.
>>>Mana: I hate you; you do know that right?
I have access to many tools and information. I know you. That is how I can
understand you. How I can protect you, even from yourself. How I can… love you.
My Lovely.
>>>Asuka: Maybe I shouldn't want so many fans…
>>>Shinji: I'm glad I don't appeal to people.
>>>Touji: YOU ASS! YOU HAVE ALL THESE GIRLS AND YOU SAY THAT!
I am so close, in these binding shadows. So close to your dancing eyes. Your
enchanting smile. Your wonderful lips.
>>>Mana: And he's always watching, an evil Santa Claus.
>>>Misato: Maybe those shower cameras were a bad idea.
>>>Shinji/Asuka: WHAT?
I must remain hidden.
For you. It is for you that I skulk in the shadows, ever vigilant. I must keep
you safe. Sleep the sleep of the pure, my Lovely. Know that I am always watching
you, loving you.
>>>Asuka: I'll never sleep easy again.
My Lovely.
[]====[]
"Shinji," Asuka said from her spot on the couch. "I'm bored."
>>>Shinji: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!
>>>Touji: That's a conditioned reflex if I ever saw one.
>>>Mana: Asuka, you didn't find the whip did you…Asuka?
Shinji stood in the kitchen, preparing a light lunch for the two of them. He
turned off the water from the sink from where he'd been washing the vegetables.
Drying his hands, he replied, "Well, what did you want to do with the 'windfall'
Misato gave us?"
>>>Asuka: Learn how to snipe blue and brown haired girls.
>>>Misato: Exercise you tongue?
>>>Rei: Shinji needs to do that. Why are you all looking at me?
He grinned at the comment, knowing that the major probably couldn't afford to
part with much of her salary. Not with her car insurance rates, at least.
>>>Misato: And whose fault is that!
>>>Mana: The person with the lead foot and heightened need for thrills.
>>Misato: Oh yeah.
"How much did she leave us?" Asuka asked, stepping into the kitchen. Her
oversized T-shirt and her cut-off shorts reflected the notion that today was a
day for relaxing.
>>>Mana: Or fashion sense.
After retrieving a soda from the fridge, she plopped into one
of the kitchen chairs awaiting the status of their funds.
"Let's see," Shinji said as he hung up his apron. While still wearing his school
slacks, his uniform lacked the standard white Oxford button-up, showing his
untucked blue T-shirt. He made his way to the microwave, and picked up the
envelope sitting on top. Flipping through the bills, he began to add their
"allowance."
>>>Shinji: That's tissue paper.
>>>Misato: It's as good as money.
>>>Rei: Why would you need tissue paper…oh I understand.
>>>Shinji/Touji: At least one of us does.
"It comes to about 4,000 yen," he said without much enthusiasm. With the city's
prices, that would probably only cover dinner for the both of them. Maybe.
"Meaning what?" Asuka asked. "Kaji's always handled all of my shopping since
I've been in Japan."
>>>Misato: Lil' miss grownup can't shop for herself?
>>>Mana: When did she ever live with Kaji in Tokyo-3?
>>>Rei/Shinji: He doesn't have to live with her for her to extort him.
"It means that it's not much money," he said mentally bracing himself. He saw
her eyes widen a bit before her brow began to furrow in anger. Just as she
opened her mouth, he interrupted her. "But we can probably have a good time if
we're careful about how we spend it."
>>>Touji: I'm waiting for her to take it all and leave him.
>>>Shinji: Running into the arms of the stalker?
>>>Mana/Misato: Exactly.
Asuka's eyes narrowed a bit more, her mouth still open. She slowly closed it as
she thought about her situation. "What's this we stuff, Third Child?"
>>>Touji: Told ya!
For a moment the comment took Shinji by surprise. Of course she wouldn't want to
share the money. He looked at her scowling countenance for a moment before
thinking of some justification to spend the day together.
"Well," he said a bit uncertainly. "I, um, have been here longer than you, so it
makes sense that I know where some of the… uh… cheaper places are, doesn't it?"
Asuka's mind chewed on this bit of logic. Unable to refute it outright, she
nodded for him to continue.
>>>Misato: Still trying to find a way to get the money and run.
>>>Rei: Won't she resort to her "Give it or I hit you" tactic?
"And, I-uh, I would also know where some of the more fun things to do are," he
said, trying to add to his presumed value.
"Go on," Asuka said skeptically. Shinji and fun seemed to be mutually exclusive,
in her opinion.
>>>Mana: Just like Asuka and calm.
>>>Rei: Mana and sensible.
>>>Misato: Rei and expressive.
"And I'd be willing to throw in some of my own money."
"Deal," she said immediately. "But don't you dare get the idea that this is a
date, Ikari!"
"Of course not!" he said, taking a step back, to press himself against the
kitchen counter.
"Good! It's just a mutual outing by two co-workers," she said, haughtily as she
rose to her feet. She glared at him for a moment. "Nothing more."
"Fine by me," he said, glaring back.
>>>Touji: He likes his entrails inside his body.
>>>Rei/Mana: He likes me more anyway.
>>>Shinji/Asuka: Standard 'going out' clause.
"Hmph. Well, I'm going to change."
"Change? Why?" Shinji asked, a little confused.
"What do you mean, 'why?' I can't go out looking like this! I was going to put
on one of my sundresses. Moron."
"Oh," he said as she stalked back to her room. Now all I have to do is think of
somewhere to take us. Surely I've done something 'fun' since I've been here…
>>>Misato: As the red warning light of impending doom lights up.
>>>Asuka: I know something…'fun' we could do?
>>>Mana: You are NOT taking him to a S&M bar.
>>>Shinji now a puddle on the couch tries to speak but fails.
Shinji paced back and forth in the kitchen, until something came to him. He
almost dismissed it, the idea was so ludicrous. Sure, it was cheap, and it was
something he would enjoy. But would she?
>>>Touji: Not unless it contains fire, pain, and punishment.
>>>Asuka: I am NOT a devil you idiot!
Oh well, if not, she'll let me know. Immediately.
>>>Mana: That goes without saying.
[]====[]
I see you. I am still watching you.
>>>Rei: More "Inside the mind of a sadist."
>>>Misato: Close, he likes Asuka so it's a masochist.
You are going out, relaxed, casual. It is as if you know I am here. That you
know I am keeping you safe from those who would harm you. From the rancid evil
that spreads through men like pestilence.
>>>Rei: More likely she doesn't know you exist at all.
>>>Asuka: Now I'm afraid of the security. Perverts all of them.
You are beautiful… so beautiful… It is natural and wondrous, effortless and
without conscious thought. You are a sight to behold when you shrug off your
worries and troubled looks.
>>>Asuka:…Well he does have good taste.
>>>Shinji: Asuka, don't agree with the psychopath.
The sun plays its little tricks in your hair and adds what could be a new
sparkle in your eyes. Your smile, uncertain yet unforced, warms me. This is the
reason I awoke this morning.
To see you, even if you can't see me.
>>>Asuka: He's good with complements.
>>>Touji: And he can make a hair doll of you with the stuff he found.
Your friend, your roommate and comrade in arms, seems to have lost their
troubles as well. I hope you two can behave. It always pains me so when I see
you fighting and bickering like a common cur.
But you could never descend so low. Never do you lose your grace and beauty.
>>>Misato: Now we see him take aim on Shinji.
>>>Shinji: With a high-powered rifle no doubt.
Enjoy the night. I will be watching you closely, my Lovely.
>>>Rei: So don't relax or he'll get you.
[]====[]
Asuka and Shinji walked along the sidewalk, the sun continuing its trek west.
They had been walking towards the center of the city, pausing every now and then
for Asuka to window shop. Shinji had mostly been looking up at the sky, enjoying
its warm rays, while stealing quick glances at Asuka - whenever he thought she
would be too occupied with one of her tirades.
>>>Touji: Wouldn't that cause one?
>>>Shinji: If I was caught.
>>>Asuka: You know you don't have to sneak anymore.
"I still can't believe Misato gave us so little money! I mean, if 4000 yen isn't
much for a couple of dinners, how are we going to make it last the entire
night?" she said, her hands behind her head, causing her short-sleeved blue
dress to pick up its hem line a few centimeters.
"Maybe it was all she had on her?" Shinji ventured, looking back the clear sky.
>>>Rei: She is the third most paid person in Japan.
>>>Misato: REI!
>>>Asuka/Shinji: We want raises in our allowances!
"If she didn't spend it all on beer, maybe she'd have more," Asuka said darkly.
"Well, we'll just have to stretch it out," Shinji said, still lost in the vivid
colors of the sky.
>>>Mana: He's turning into Ayanami!
"Speaking of which, where are we supposed to be heading, coworker?"
"Well, since we have to make the money last through all of the afternoon and the
evening, I figured we could go sight-seeing for a little while. I didn't really
get to see that much of the city when…" Shinji trailed off, remembering his time
after the fourth angel.
>>>Misato: You took your little "I'm not really running away" trip?
>>>Touji: I feel sorry that you actually ran into Kensuke.
"Sight-seeing? That's your brilliant idea? You said that since you'd been here
longer! You said you knew something interesting to do!"
"Hey! It was short notice, okay? Besides, I have a plan," Shinji said, shrinking
back a bit in defense.
"Some plan," Asuka muttered, smacking him on the arm.
>>>Rei: Why do you always have to hit things?
>>>Shinji: I'm thankful it wasn't hard.
Shinji bowed his head and sighed. She's going to be like this all day, isn't
she? he thought.
>>>Misato: He finally accepted the truth.
"What?!" Asuka yelled, observing how Shinji had seemed to crumple inward.
"Are you going to be like this all day?" he whined, voicing his inner question.
"What do you mean, idiot?"
>>>Mana: He meant are you going to be a bitch?
>>>Rei: Rude and arrogant.
>>>Asuka: A snappy dresser.
>>>Touji: Can we drop one on your head?
"I mean," he said hesitantly, "are you going to be this obnoxious the whole time
we're out?"
>>>All:…did he just say that?
>>>Shinji: RUN! RUN YOU FOOL!
Asuka just stopped and stared at him. He stared at his feet for a moment or two
before looking back into her face. Her eyes had gone from wide with shock to
narrow in anger.
>>>Touji: He has about thirty seconds to live.
>>>Mana: Much like a dinosaur it takes time for impulses to get to her brain.
Her lips trembled, whether from pain or from keeping back a snarl Shinji wasn't
sure.
"Obnoxious?" she said, barely making it a question rather than a statement.
"Listen, there's this great buffet place further down Amano Boulevard.
>>>All: Ha…ha…ha.
Touji's broken their all-you-can eat record a couple times, so they might give
us a discount or something," he said nervously, choosing to completely ignore
reality for a moment and hope that Asuka wouldn't mug him.
>>>Asuka: How could I, you don't have any money.
>>>Mana: I knew Touji was a pig and this proves it!
>>>Touji: I just have a growing appetite.
All he heard were his own footsteps hitting the pavement. Shinji was about to
stop and turn around to apologize when he heard another set smacking the
sidewalk. Quickly the sounds caught up with him.
Asuka appeared in his peripheral vision, seeming to not be very happy with such
a state of affairs.
"The food had better be worth me putting up with you, Third Child," she said
icily.
"They, um, have quite a lot to choose from. Mostly Chinese and Korean dishes,
but some American ones, too, I think."
"Hmph."
>>>Misato: Was that a Hmph I'm going to kill you or a Hmph ok?
>>>Rei: A Hmph I don't like it and will make you suffer later.
[]====[]
An argument? A spay? No doubt it was all your friend's fault, constantly
pressing upon your more refined senses. I almost felt compelled to intervene on
your behalf.
>>>Shinji: I knew it, I'm going to die.
>>>Mana: Still like your stalker now Asuka?
But that would have been counter-productive. It would have exposed me before I
was ready. Before you were ready.
>>>Misato: Ready for what we won't ask.
Not yet, my Lovely.
Your quarrel sends my blood to a boil and it wakes my desire to throttle that
insipid wretch you must live with.
>>>Touji: Damn Shinji your life DOES suck sometimes.
>>>Asuka: A insipid wretch no. A wretch maybe, insipid yes, but not both.
I am calm now. I must stay calm so that I can watch over you and keep you safe,
my Lovely.
Your selfish companion certainly hasn't the sense to do so.
Just have fun. Enjoy the eternal summer and your beautiful youth.
Everything will work out in the end.
>>>Mana: When I duck-tape you to the chair.
I promise, my Lovely.
>>>Rei: Is this why you say men need to get out more Major?
[]====[]
"Hello, is, um, Mr. Kwon in today?" Shinji nervously asked the host, standing at
the entrance of the restaurant.
The waiter looked at the slight Japanese boy and tall German girl for a moment
before recognition dawned on him. The host grinned toothily, before chuckling.
"No Stomach, today, yes?" the host asked, his Japanese heavily accented.
>>>Touji: Ah Kwon didn't know what hit him with me.
>>>Asuka: I'd say about 140 pounds of ham.
"What? Oh! No, he's in Okinawa," Shinji replied, catching the reference to
Touji's nickname.
"I get Kwon, then. Wait please," the host said, still grinning as he walked away
from his post and into the kitchen.
>>>Touji: Then Asuka began stealing.
>>>Asuka: It's his own fault for turning his back!
As the host darted into the noisy kitchen, Shinji turned back to Asuka grinning
weakly, awaiting her judgment. Asuka however, was busy looking at all the
decorations, occupying the restaurant. Paper lanterns hung from the ceiling as
gold filigreed dragons marched along the walls, as though reaching for the
scraps of illuminated paper.
"Asuka?"
>>>Asuka: I'd be holding back the rage at that point, such a terrible place.
>>>Mana: Some places don't look good but have good food.
>>>Asuka/Shinji: Won't matter at this point.
"Huh?" Asuka said, coming out of her trance. She shrugged apathetically. "It's
alright, I suppose."
At that moment, the kitchen doors burst open and short, squat man with thick
arms strode out with an angry expression on his face. Shinji swallowed
nervously, while Asuka took a small step back.
>>>Misato: GET THE CAMERA!
>>>Rei: It's already on tape.
>>>Misato: Than record it!
>>>Rei: That violates copyright laws.
>>>Misato: Fine…you really are no fun.
"You!" the man, who was only centimeters taller than Shinji, said, jabbing him
with a pudgy finger. "Where Stomach!"
"O-O-Okinawa, s-s-sir," Shinji replied quickly, backing away from the force of
the finger.
>>>Touji: See I can inspire fear in men!
>>>Misato: As a liability only.
The short man, whom Shinji remembered to be Mr. Kwon himself, glared daggers at
the young pilot before backing away and letting loose bellows of laughter.
"You skinny kid! You eat free!" he said, poking Shinji in the stomach for
emphasis.
>>>Shinji: I think this movie hates me.
>>>Mana: It might but I love ya! 'She glomps him for emphasis'
>>>Misato: Rude people, night with Asuka, and a killer stalker he's right.
Mr. Kwon laughed some more at his joke, and the host came out of the
kitchen, laughing as well. All Shinji could do was smile weakly and shrink under
all the attention.
"What about me?" Asuka asked imperiously, stepping forward.
>>>Rei: He'd ask you to pose for the calendar.
>>>Asuka: Obviously.
>>>Mana: Then put you to work in the kitchen.
Mr. Kwon stopped laughing all of the sudden and stepped in front of Asuka to eye
her closely. Bending at his large waist, he narrowed his eyes. He spoke to
Shinji, but continued scrutinizing Asuka.
"She eat lot?"
>>>Misato: Manner of opinion.
>>>Asuka: I don't eat a lot!
>>>Rei: You ate seven bowls of ramen that night.
"N-no," he said, recoiling from the renewed barrage.
"She sister?"
>>>Touji: That would be one odd looking family photo.
>>>Shinji: Is it possible for such genetic pairings?
"No!"
"She girlfriend?"
"NO!"
"How you know her?"
"What?!"
>>>Mana: time for her to lie or verbally abuse him.
>>>Rei/Touji: Money on abuse.
"You so much fun, skinny kid! She eat free, also," Mr. Kwon said standing and
managing to smack Shinji on the back and almost to the ground. Mr. Kwon clapped
his hands and then made his way back to the kitchen, chuckling all the while.
"This way, please?" the host said, smiling at his boss's sense of humor.
>>>Shinji/Misato: Glad somebody liked it.
"Well," Asuka said, clapping Shinji on the back as Mr. Kwon had, trying to
muster up the same amount of force. "Go to table, Skinny Child!"
>>>Touji: Could his spine take that abuse?
>>>Asuka: Didn't know he had one.
Shinji staggered forward and then glared back at his companion. He muttered
something under his breath as he followed the waiter to their table.
>>>Rei: Is it time to hear the raspy breath and scary dialogue again?
[]====[]
I could kill him, that bloated whale of man. The way he disrespected your space,
your privacy, your- your aura of beauty…
>>>Touji: Yup…but wait did Kwon get that close to her?
>>>Asuka: He eyed me up like a fish!
>>>Shinji/Mana: Fish huh? We'll turn you into a Japanese citizen yet.
My Lovely.
Were there not witnesses, and that squeamish roommate of yours, I would show
that inflated, foreign dog just how gravely he erred. I may later, after I am
forced to leave my official vigil.
That bastard!
>>>Touji: So how is he going to kill Shinji after he 'offends' Asuka?
>>>Mana: Slow and painfully I bet.
>>>Misato: Looks like nightmares for months. It's ok you can sleep with me.
>>>Shinji: DAMMIT ASUKA YOUR 'FAN' IS GOING TO SKIN ME!
It just infuriates me when I see some mongrel completely blind to you. And the
way you stood there! I know you must know how breathtaking you are! You must!
Yet still people do not realize it.
>>>Asuka: Like hell they don't! I radiate with beauty and poise!
>>>Rei: And you wonder why you have crazed stalkers.
Is it that you don't know? Do you truly not know how wonderful and special you
are? Maybe… maybe someone needs to tell you. Is that what you need? Someone to
tell you how utterly tantalizingly…
>>>Misato: Something seems off…but I can't put my finger on it.
>>>Asuka: Maybe its because that's your seventh post supper beer.
My Lovely.
Maybe. Maybe it's me. Maybe I, the one who loves and adores you the most, am
supposed to tell. To express to you. To show you.
Yes. That must be it.
>>>Shinji: And if you don't like it…we'll have to change that.
I will show you, my Lovely.
>>>Mana: What I have 'special' just for you.
>>>Shinji: I get to kill him if he tries right?
[]====[]
"God, I'm stuffed! How 'bout you, Skinny Third Child?"
"Heh. I didn't eat too much. Hey!" Shinji exclaimed, coming to a stop.
"What is it now, moron?" Asuka said, only slightly exasperated.
>>>Touji: You have a red dot on your back.
>>>Rei: Tranquilizer darts.
"Well, there's a theatre the next street over. I was just wondering what they
were playing, that's all."
"A movie theatre? I haven't seen a movie in the theatre here yet. You can take
me to this one."
"Okay."
"But it's not a date! Do you understand?!"
>>>Misato: How could he forget you say that line every five minutes?
>>>Rei/Mana: Denial is very helpful to us.
"Yeah, yeah, I understand."
"Excellent. So, what are we seeing?"
"Well, they're replaying a Toranaga film. He was one of the foremost directors
in animation after Second Impact."
"Cartoons?! Geez, what kind of lame-o are you?"
>>>Cast: Anime is NOT cartoons!
>>>Shinji: Well ok maybe some are.
"They're not just cartoons, they're really-" Shinji fell silent as Asuka began
laughing and pointing at him.
"What do you think I am? Stupid?" she asked between guffaws. "Of course I know
about 'anime.' What moron doesn't?"
>>>Rei: You when you first arrived in Japan.
>>>Asuka: How was I supposed to know?
"Oh, well, I just thought…"
"And that was your problem, Third Child. Thinking. You're just not suited to
it," Asuka tossed her hair over her shoulders as Shinji crossed his arms in
contention. She was about to say something scathing and beyond retort when
something caught her eye.
>>>Mana: Please say a bottle.
>>>Touji: Why you put up with her is beyond me.
Shinji turned around to see a large man in a black suit stare at them from
across the street. He barely had time to ponder this development when the man in
black ducked into an side street.
"Stupid Security!" Asuka fumed. "They're all a bunch of idiots! And perverts,
too! Did you see the way he was undressing me with his eyes!?"
>>>Misato: Well we know the movie will be memorable.
>>>Asuka: Can we get female security now?
>>>Rei: And risk the same with Shinji?
Shinji, who hadn't seen the man's eyes due to sunglasses obstructing his view,
remained silent, wondering why one of those "secret service" guys would let
themselves be seen so blatantly. His mind clutched at something, reaching for a
clue when Asuka grabbed his arm and began towing him in the direction of the
theatre.
>>>Rei: Remember its not a date.
>>>Mana: It's just my using you for my own needs.
>>>Misato: And I'm not holding your hand, I'm warming my own.
>>>Asuka: Hey…you stole my excuses.
[]====[]
You see me.
As do others. But that is fine. That is okay. Because I've already dealt with
those 'comrades' who could interfere. I have set the stage, my precious.
>>>Misato: Guess we'll be needed to rehire that shift.
And I have shown you me.
>>>Rei: But he had his pants on.
>>>Asuka: PERVERT! He didn't mean that!
I know you were too surprised to know your feelings in that sliver of time, but
I will solve that Gordian knot. I will give you time. I will show you my
feelings and you will know your own through them.
My Lovely, I will show you love in this cold world, this world that only leaches
your life. I will show you love as only a heart like yours must know.
Pure.
Passionate.
Total.
>>>Rei: One-sided.
>>>Touji: Sick.
>>>Misato: Perverted.
My Lovely.
>>>Shinji: Piece of meat.
[]====[]
"Gott! Looks like the selection is almost as bland you, Third Child," Asuka
grumbled, looking at the movie listings and times, the kanji boasting its
furikana above for younger viewers. And less than literate Germans.
>>>Mana: Way to show how smart you are.
>>>Asuka: Shut up.
>>>Rei: Would you like assistance in your endeavor?
>>>Asuka: I hate both of you.
Shinji scanned the movie posters, trying to see if there was something worth
watching, or at least something that Asuka wouldn't complain about the whole way
through. He considered the familiar Second Impact flick, just for laughs, but
then thought that Asuka might think the choice a deliberate insult.
>>>Misato: And that would be a lot of pain.
>>>Touji: At least he wouldn't be around when the guard attacked.
Most of the films seemed to be fantasy oriented, no doubt an escape from
science's own present-day horrors. Then something caught his eye.
"Hey, Asuka?"
"What?!" Asuka whirled around to face him, almost pirouetting.
>>>Shinji: They make you really angry in this movie.
>>>Touji: Keeping her in character.
"How about that one?" Shinji said, stepping back from the intensity that was the
Second Child's frustration.
>>>Mana: He'd need to leave the city to escape it.
Asuka blinked at Shinji for moment, and then turned in the direction his hand
seemed to indicate. The poster he pointed at contained a montage of actors and
actresses, both Japanese and foreign. The men seemed to be squinting and trying
to be uniformly and overly serious while the women offered a variety of
expressions, but most seemed to border on irritation and taxed patience. Neither
the Time, nor the Place claimed to be a pulse-pounding laugh riot, full of wacky
hi-jinks and ludicrous transcendentalism.
Whatever that meant.
>>>Rei: To be frank it means…
>>>Misato: We don't care Rei we don't care.
Asuka seemed to recall some of the girls in class talking about it. Apparently,
it was supposed to be funny. Quite funny.
"Well, I don't see anything better," Asuka muttered and began to make her way to
the ticket booth. Noticing Shinji's lack of movement, she raised her voice.
"Well?! You have the money, idiot!"
>>>Shinji/Touji: How did that happen?
>>>Mana: You're her pack mule.
Some of the other moviegoers snickered at the scene, while a few brave souls
make whip-cracking noises. These latter stopped once the icy glare of the
redhead fell upon them. It wasn't surprising that the booth attendant exhibited
more than a little nervousness when handing the two pilots their tickets.
>>>Asuka: They know to respect me.
>>>Rei: Fear isn't respect.
>>>Asuka: Close enough.
As the two made their way to the appropriate theatre, Asuka stopped. "What do
they have for refreshments?"
"What?"
>>>Rei: Food items that lack nutritional value.
>>>Mana/Touji: I won't even bother.
"Refreshments, idiot. Geez, the last time I got something I thought was normal,
you crazy Japanese slathered corn all over my hamburger. What do they have at
the concession stand? Beans? Sprouts? Goldfish on a stick? What?!"
>>>Misato: GOLDFISH ON A STICK!! WHERE DID YOU FIND THOSE?
>>>Shinji: What?
>>>Misato: THE FISH MAN THE FISH!
>>>Asuka/Rei: It's a movie!
>>>Misato: Damn…
"Just you know… uh candies, and drinks," Shinji said as he backed up a bit.
"Popcorn…"
"Popcorn, thank Gott! Go get us some popcorn, then," she said tossing her hair
over one shoulder.
"Uh… sure," he said, feeling himself on uncertain ground. "You go, um, find some
good seats, okay?"
>>>Touji: And he'll be drug off into a closet and gagged.
>>>Mana: Then your special friend makes his appearance.
Asuka replied by tossing her hair over one shoulder as she strode into the
dimness of the theatre.
>>>Misato: How many times do you need to toss your hair?
>>>Asuka tossing her hair: Enough.
Shinji could hear the music of a local pop station
filling the hall as its denizens awaited the oncoming previews and film. In the
span of a few seconds Asuka was lost in the darkness, but Shinji knew she'd
alert him to her location when he returned.
>>>Touji: What are you basing that on?
>>>Shinji: She wants the popcorn.
[]====[]
Shinji smiled as he moved closer towards the concession stands. I'll probably
still be able to make the previews. They were often his favorite part. He
certainly hoped Asuka would find something redeeming about the film. Otherwise,
he would never hear the end of how he ruined her night out in Tokyo-3.
>>>Mana: Thought that was pre-ordained.
>>>Rei: This isn't normal; usually we have the perverse man.
>>>Misato: Wait a minute!
So engulfed in his thoughts, Shinji didn't notice a man in a black suit and
sunglasses cut in line to stand beside him. The man cleared his throat,
resolving that dilemma.
"S-Shinji Ikari," he said, barely covering the stutter. "There is an emergency
requiring your immediate presence."
When the man saw the uncomprehending stare he added, "Please come with me."
>>>Shinji: What is this?
>>>Asuka: Guess he IS going to kill you to get to me.
Shinji stole a quick glance back at the popcorn spilling out its popper and
sighed. He really should've known.
>>>Mana leans closer to Shinji: this is getting creepy.
Moving with no real focus, Shinji let his eyes rest on the back of the man in
front of him. Dimly, Shinji was aware of music filling his ears. After taking a
turn or maybe two, the volume began to increase until it became a wailing,
thumping pressure on Shinji's sinuses. He absently reached for the spot on his
belt where his SDAT normally hung, thinking to turn down his oppressive
salvation. It was the dawning realization that the music was beyond his control
that made Shinji aware that he had followed the Security agent into a side
alley, out of site of the theatre and next to a bar with a very loud live band.
>>>Touji: Why is this…happening.
>>>Asuka: It couldn't be.
Shinji glanced around, taking in the grim and desolation of the alley and
feeling his stomach drop.
"My Lovely," came a husky whisper.
>>>Shinji:…
>>>Mana: HE'S AFTER SHINJI!!! 'Clings to said object for her life.'
>>>Asuka: But, but…he was supposed to be stalking me.
>>>Misato: Oh Kami-sama we do need to have evaluations for those guards.
>>>Touji: Shinji snap out of it, Shinji?
[]====[]
Asuka watched the preview of some movie involving car chases and a shower scene
or two with her temper held only through lack of an outlet.
>>>Rei: Is that all he is for you?
>>>Asuka: Used to be.
Everyone had given her a good two-seat buffer. And her primary outlet being the
source of her current chagrin was nowhere to be found.
Asuka found herself suspiciously eyeing every straggler that walked into the
room, hunting for the familiar gait of her soon-to-be-short-lived companion.
>>>Shinji: You don't now how right you are.
>>>Mana: If you let anything happen to him I swear!
>>>Misato: You can get your hands off him now.
>>>Mana: To scared.
"I'm going to rip his gizzard out," Asuka started, but her tirade was cut short
by the distant hushing noises from all corners. No small amount of effort went
into stifling some scathing replies.
Another car exploded on the silver screen.
[]====[]
"Do you know how long I've waited, my lovely?" I profess, gazing into your eyes.
Those beautiful eyes that could hold my heart's gaze for eternity. Your lips
tremble, their quivering denoting your nervousness. "It's okay. I understand,
Shinji."
>>>Touji: That he is a boy and you're not really supposed to be trying to get
him?
>>>Misato: Maybe female agents are best.
I feel a small thrill at saying your name. Even with the thunderous chords and
grating lyrics I feel liberated letting my feelings breathe as I release them
from my inner dungeons.
>>>Rei: I believe I feel fear now as well.
I step forward, hesitantly, wanting you near me. You, the source of all my joy
and being, are intoxicating, forcing me closer. I can smell you and your
heavenly perfume of soap, sweat and residual LCL.
>>>Misato: They really did mean psyco when they categorized it.
You take a step back. I can understand. You've never known love - true love, not
that foolish sense of obligation or the nervous twisting of hormones. It's okay,
you can take your step back.
It just means that I'll have to be the one to show you.
And take that extra step forward.
>>>Touji: I guess he won't mind the screaming and crying.
>>>Shinji: Asuka…why haven't you come looking for me yet?
[]====[]
Shinji took a quick glance behind him - nothing but walls. If Shinji were in his
Eva he would reach for his progressive knife. If he were in his Eva, he could
count on Asuka and Ayanami to back him up somewhat. If he were in his Eva,
Shinji would have the speed and strength of a titan, not the underdeveloped
physique of boy who hadn't hit his growth spurt.
>>>Misato: And if you were in Unit-01 you'd have a few added tons.
>>>Rei: Not to mention a very active protection system.
He took another step back, facing the man whose smile hung like a garish affront
to the capabilities of man's face. Shinji thought he might have caught a glint
of the madness that must lie in eyes shielded by polarized glass. What would he
do if he were in Eva?
Another step back.
He would probably hide behind a building or pick up an armament. He would ask
for help over the comm. system. Misato would know what to do. Or Asuka or
Ayanami. Or maybe even Father.
>>>Rei/Misato: He'd say kill it.
>>>Asuka: Quick and simple.
Shinji let out a small shriek when his back came in contact with the wall.
Ancient concert postings and public service announcements hung in tattered
testament to the infrequency of visitors to the alley. It was this wall and it's
sense of finality that hammered the point to Shinji: he was not in Eva.
>>>Mana: And what is to come maybe worse than death.
>>>Shinji/Asuka: I feel sick.
As the grinning, leering figure in black destroyed another half-meter of space
between he and Shinji, the Third Child made a discovery. He still had his
cellular phone. With fear causing tremors in his hands and terror numbing his
legs, Shinji fumbled for the small phone tucked in his back pocket. Whipping it
out in front of him, he held like a talisman as though the object would be
enough to ward away this apparition.
>>>Misato: You need a tazer.
>>>Girls: NO!…um…he needs us.
>>>Touji: Can't let him have a defense against you three can you?
Another step, and Shinji scooted to the side and into a corner, any extra space
more than welcome. Desperation mounting, his fingers searched for speed dial
buttons. In between sense-drowning music, Shinji's ears heard the satisfying
sound of dialing.
He dared to hope.
Until he heard the almost overwhelmed sound of phones ringing. Several phones.
Were his mental faculties not grinding to a halt, Shinji might have had the mind
to consider the accompanied grin and shrug from the source of the ringing to be…
sheepish.
Another step. And fingers reached out for more buttons.
>>>Touji: I don't think I want to watch this anymore.
>>>Misato: This guy is good, and that does scare me.
[]====[]
Asuka's eyes narrowed as the audience laughed at the antics of the lead actor
and actress. Normally, she would have found a woman dragging a hand-cuffed man
down a highway funny as well, but the opening credits had long since passed and
she found herself begging for some means of releasing the hard ball of pure fury
that had been growing in her gut.
>>>Rei: Why must you be so stupid?
>>>Mana: You're letting a pervert try to molest Shinji you bitch!
>>>Asuka: But…it's a movie, 'I'd' know something was up.
As if reading her mind, her cellular phone began to ring. Both the Mozart tune
and Asuka's swearing drew the nervous looks of several onlookers.
"It had better be Kaji," she muttered as she tried to identify the caller. Her
eye twitched as Shinji's name came up on the small LCD screen.
She began to press the button to deliver a suitable scolding, but thought better
of it. The auditorium-style theatre was not the place for the volume she wanted
to use.
>>>Rei: I want my music now somebody needs punishment.
>>>Misato: Something happens and your grounded missy.
[]====[]
"Hallo! You have reached the number of Asuka Langley Sohryu. I'm SO sorry I
couldn't be answer your call and fulfill your little heart's desire. But please
feel free to pour out your soul to my voice mail. Danke."
"No," I say, feeling my heart plummet as I see those gorgeous eyes of yours
flick past me and to your phone and back. "You can't."
>>>Shinji holds onto Mana: Somebody'll save me right?
>>>Mana: It's a movie, I'd…we'd save ya if it were real.
>>>Others: Agreed.
It's not supposed to happen like this. You can't possibly see anything in that
blustering little bitch. Can't you see that I love you?
>>>Asuka: No, he see's a sick and sad man.
>>>Misato: that is two seconds away from the unemployment line.
"Shinji." I step closer. I need to touch you. To feel you. I need to make me
real to you. That's what it is! You've been so lost and alone! You were reaching
out to anyone, even that boorish, foreign cow.
>>>Asuka: Now I have even more reason to want him dead.
>>>Touji: He is kinda right though you are a …cow.
>>>Rei fields Touji out of the room: Not now.
You need me to show you, and- "I need you."
I take off my sunglasses so you can see the sincerity in my eyes. You're still
scared, but that's okay.
I'll make it all better.
>>>Misato: By shoving those glasses in your skull?
>>>Rei: Walking away?
>>>Shinji: Telling me it's all a joke?
[]====[]
Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod.
>>>Misato: Yes, praying would be a good thing now.
Shinji felt the cellular slip out of hands as Asuka's message laid low his hopes
and seemed to only agitate the man cornering him. Shinji felt himself pushing
his body as far into the corner as possible, as the band started their raucous
playing once again - sickeningly enough, a ballad with a relatively quick tempo.
>>>Rei: I thought that was the movies score.
>>>Mana: No…just irony.
Shinji his lips moved, begged, mewled for some respite, some return to sanity.
The man took off his shades, revealing dark eyes and intent. Shinji sunk, his
knees buckling a bit, and gave the man a perspective of towering over frightened
Japanese boy.
>>>Asuka: And actually rightly so.
>>>Touji: You not going to make fun out of him for this?
>>>Asuka: No, you don't make fun of somebody for this type of thing.
The man was talking, saying things that Shinji could grab bits and pieces of
with such insufferable background noise. Shinji thought he heard the words
'love' or 'need' but he couldn't be sure. His eyes darted past the man again,
eyeing the turn that could probably lead him to freedom.
>>>Touji: You make this you better go out for the football team.
>>>Rei: So not all love is good?
As the man removed his jacket, Shinji gained full view of the gun docked in the
shoulder holster. Shinji thought that the man's lips were trying to make
soothing noises, to tell him that things were okay. The step closer told Shinji
otherwise.
>>>Shinji: How the hell is everything ok?
>>>Mana: In his twisted sick mind it is. To everybody else it's wrong.
Shinji bumped his head flinching back as the man reached out to him. Eyes
squeezed tight, Shinji felt the sweat gliding down his sides from his armpits as
he tried to block out whatever came next.
Rough calloused hands grazed his cheek, sliding down to his chin. Slowly, the
hand pushed hair behind his ear and gently laid against the side of Shinji's
head. Shinji could smell aftershave and a hint of pork ramen.
>>>Misato: He is what he eats.
>>>Girls: A pig.
Breathing quicker, Shinji opened his eyes to see the man leaning forward. In a
burst of panic and adrenaline, Shinji leapt for the dangling gun, hoping -
praying - that the differences between human and Eva weapons was mostly ones of
size. His fingers brushed against the black grip before the rest of him was
backhanded to the ground.
>>>Asuka: Once again proving reality and movies is a far distinction.
>>>Shinji: Was a little luck too much to ask?
Shinji was aware of the smell of his sweat and the taste of his own blood, so
similar to LCL. The ground swam before his eyes despite such close proximity.
Somewhere in his mind - the part that counted off plans of escape and survival -
he knew that he'd lost his only chance.
>>>Mana: And so when Asuka's hope for survival.
>>>Rei: Why not bludgeon the man's genitals?
>>>Shinji: I don't think I'm calm enough to think at this point.
It wasn't until he felt his hands being bound that it registered in his
conscious mind. Then he started screaming.
>>>Shinji again cowers into a cowering Mana: This is a bit much.
>>>Asuka: You said it. Misato what the hell!
>>>Misato: you wanted scary and this is down right terrifying.
But no one heard him. He knew this because he couldn't really hear himself over
the roaring of steel guitars and drums. In that small corner left of his working
mind, Shinji noted the irony.
And he screamed some more.
>>>Touji: I'm going to be sick.
>>>Rei: We need to teach you field manipulation.
[]====[]
Asuka stormed into the theatre's lobby, casting her eyes across the thinned
crowd. She almost expected her companion to still be in the concession stand
line, letting everyone cut in front of him.
>>>Misato: Then you'd beat him right?
>>>Asuka: How was I to know this would happen?
>>>Touji/Mana: Do we care?
Much to her dismay, no one in the
crowd bore even a slight resemblance to Shinji. While making the deduction
easier, it also robbed her of any immediate hope that she would be able to give
vent to her frustration upon the boy.
>>>Shinji: Exactly what I need right now.
>>>Touji: Maybe she'll find you and kill you before he does anything.
>>>Rei: That is a twisted and morbid suggestion.
Doubting his initial intentions, she marched up to the snack vendor, ignoring
the stares from the handful of people in line.
>>>Misato: What did I tell you about throwing people at walls?
>>>Asuka: Only when getting you your beer.
"Did you see a stupid-looking boy?" she asked.
>>>Touji: Lovely description.
When the slightly older teen gave
her a befuddled look, Asuka sighed and elaborated. "A skinny kid, about this
tall?
>>>Misato: That's about fifty percent of Japan.
Still wearing a dull school uniform?
>>>Rei: 40%
Dark hair and blue eyes?
>>>Mana: Are you even thinking at this point?
Eva pilot?"
>>>Shinji/Touji: Finally a valid descriptions.
She kept on, hoping that someone might remember some small detail.
"Kinda depressed lookin'?" the vendor asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yes!"
"Yeah, he got up to order then some guy in a suit pulled him outta line.
Somethin' about an emergency or somethin'."
"Emergency? And they didn't get me?" Asuka exclaimed.
>>>Touji: Three's a crowd…earuch.
>>>Asuka retracts her hand: Shut it.
"Yeah, I reckon. They went out thatta way. Towards Tokaidou Way, I think."
"Fine," the redhead shouted as she turned and exited the movie complex. "And I
was enjoying that movie, too! They could have at least called-!"
Asuka froze. She quickly glanced around to make certain no one was watching her.
Casually, she pulled her phone out of her pocketbook and even more casually
checked the call log. Only Shinji had called, which seemed odd. If there really
was an emergency, all pilots would've been contacted from headquarters. Not from
Shinji.
>>>Misato: Gee did the might 2nd make a mistake?
>>>Asuka: Maybe.
>>>Rei: And what did it cost you?
With an uneasy feeling in her gut, she checked her voice mail. Her phone
cheerfully announced the date and time before summoning the message from its
remote storage banks.
Music. That's all that the recording contained. Loud, blaring music. But somehow
familiar. Asuka shook her head, not knowing what to make of it. As she lowered
the cellular phone Shinji's voice came through as the music hit a quiet spot. It
was only for a moment, but Asuka was almost certain it wasn't a normal Shinji
sound.
>>>Mana: Could it have been the sound of betrayal?
>>>Touji: How about abandonment?
>>>Asuka: FINE I SCREWED UP OK!!
Suspicious at security's capriciousness, she pressed the speed dial button for
their on-duty line. Listening to the number ring, Asuka began to walk away from
the theatre. As she neared the fourth ring, her feet moved at a jogging pace.
When the line went dead, she started running. Cursing not putting Shinji on her
call list, Asuka's fingers sought another speed dial number.
>>>Mana: To do that would symbolize a tiny bit of caring.
>>>Shinji: Do you…have it now?
>>>Asuka: Of course, 'I'll put it on now.'
"Hello, this is Ryouji Kaji. I'm sorry I can't answer your call-"
"Shit!" She dialed another number.
"This is the NERV help desk. To better serve you and humanity in general, please
listen to our-"
>>>Rei: Message about not calling this number again.
>>>Misato: A security detachment will be over shortly to cleanse your home.
"Verdamt!" Another number.
"*yawning* Akagi speaking… what do you- ?"
"Where the fuck is security!" Asuka managed to find breath to scream into the
phone as she passed a street that would have lead to a sports bar with live
music. Loud music.
>>>Shinji: RUN DAMMIT!
>>>Rei/Misato: FASTER!
>>>Touji: Shin-man's chastity is on the line!
[]====[]
"Why did you make me do that? Why?
>>>Shinji: I don't want you to touch me.
I had to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt
you. Never! And now I have keep you from making me hurt you…"
>>>Asuka: What you want to do…will hurt him.
>>>Touji: Speaking from…experience…dammit.
>>>Shinji watching Touji be knocked unconscious: Baka.
This isn't how I wanted it to be. It isn't! I want to show how much you mean to
me. How much I understand you and feel your pain. But you keep pushing me away!
"Why do you keep pushing people away, my Lovely? Everyone who cares about you,
you push away before they can truly see how wonderful and beautiful you are.
Why?"
You utter small protests at me securing your hands. I tell you it's for your own
protection, but I know that you won't realize that until later.
>>>Rei: After you shatter his mind.
>>>Misato: Rei-chan calm down…I can't afford another television.
Hindsight is 20/20, they say, and I'm certain that afterwards you'll understand
and be forgiving of small transgressions.
"Has anyone every told you how beautiful your eyes are, my Lovely?" I try to
sooth your nerves with a soft caress, but I know how new these sensations must
be for you. Your tears warm my heart, knowing that slowly, ever so slowly, I am
reaching out to you. Reaching you.
>>>Shinji: And making me more terrified than I've ever been in my life.
The music, a blessing, is also a curse, for there is so much I want to tell you.
For you, my mundane heart is that of a poet.
My Lovely.
But perhaps you are right, in your own scared way. The gun is a symbol of power
and fear, and I don't want you to fear me. I toss it away, secure that there
will be no interruptions. I have dealt with those crude scullions who would
feign being my comrades. They didn't understand you Shinji.
They didn't understand us.
>>>Mana: A great guy and a sick freak?
>>>Misato: A soon to be dead guard.
But I do, Shinji. My Lovely.
[]====[]
Shinji's jaw still sang with the sting of agent's hand. He looked into the
strange man's face again, hoping for some signs of humor, that the situation was
just an elaborate prank on the part of Asuka or Misato.
>>>Misato: You'd think we'd do that?
>>>Shinji: I've lost sensibility by now.
Instead, he found the
face a mockery of Asuka's when she stole glances at Mr. Kaji. The smile wide,
almost dopey, and soft eyes were out of place in Shinji's fervent prayers of a
practical joke.
The man licked his lips as he leaned closer to Shinji, closing his eyes and
washing the boy's face with hot air. This sent a bolt of lightning through
Shinji's brain, causing his semi-cultivated battle instincts to kick into gear.
>>>Asuka: Bout time, kick his ass please?
Shinji whipped his head forward, smashing his would-be intimate's nose. Momentum
and fear allowed him to lash out with a kick and not stumble. The kick missed
the groin, but still managed to connect with the bunch of muscles along the
inner thigh. As he felt the grip on his wrists slacken, Shinji darted for the
opening.
>>>Rei: He took my advise, good.
>>>Mana: But how far can he run when…
He landed face first into the pavement as his legs yanked in the opposite
direction. Shinji felt warmth leak down cheek, but he dismissed it as his
stomach slid backward, hiking up his shirt and exposing his midriff. He tried to
lever himself upon his elbows when he was forced backward yet again, scraping
his arms and stomach. Shaking his head, he turned to see what force persisted in
dragging him along the cement alleyway.
>>>Misato: Urge to kill rising.
>>>Shinji: Misato-san…damn Misato-chan put the gun away!
"You should not have done that," the force said, his mouth and chin bloody and
eyes holding passion mingled with madness. Shinji could barely make out the
words with heavy metal cacophony in the background the distended features. The
red lips peeled back into a grin as the iron grip on Shinji's ankle intensified.
"But I'll forgive you."
>>>Mana: Don't expect the same in return.
Shinji lurched back toward freedom and began scrambling with whatever power he
could muster from his weak, still-bound arms. As the grip on his ankle was
joined by another grip, this time high upon his calf, Shinji started screaming,
raking his fingers across the pavement in futility.
>>>Shinji: If this weren't so horrifying I'd find it kinda funny.
>>>Asuka: We're not that bad are we?
The music thundered into a crescendo, going faster, gaining volume. The grip
moved from his ankle finding a place higher up his leg and tearing at his pants.
Still Shinji screamed. Still Shinji clawed for escape.
The music climbed higher and Shinji felt himself slide further back. Tears
didn't start mingling with the blood on his cheek until Shinji felt a rough hand
grab the waistband of his pants.
Still Shinji screamed. Still he clawed.
>>>Misato: I need a shower.
>>>Rei: How is it possible that nobody hears this?
Shinji felt his body slide backwards a short distance. His felt his pants slide
the rest. As the music reached its zenith, he could have sworn he heard the
agent behind him.
"I hope you will forgive me, my Lovely."
>>>Asuka: Only if you forgive being dismembered.
>>>Shinji: Then skinned alive.
[]====[]
Can't you see this is for the best? Can't you see how much I love you? Why are
you so ignorant? Why do you constantly choose to not see what is right in front
of you?
Why, my Lovely? Why?!
>>>Misato: Because he's sane.
>>>Mana: Isn't in favor of man-love.
All I want is to see you smile. Do you know that? No! You're too caught up in
the shameless flirtations of those fucking whores you're forced to live with to
see true love staring into your gorgeous eyes!
>>>Misato/Asuka: Urge to kill rising.
>>>Rei: Flirtations?
>>>Mana: Maybe he thinks Shinji IS a masochist so Asuka would be flirting.
I know you can't have chosen their hollow baseness! You can't have! You're too
wonderful and pure to succumb to such tramps in heat! Why won't you see it? Why
won't you look at me?!
>>>Shinji: The blood from being drug on the ground keeps them shut.
>>>Mana: Never look somebody you're going to kill in the eyes.
But I'll make you smile. I'll win you over, even if it's not how I want to. Then
you'll see. You'll smile and you'll laugh and you'll see! Finally!
My Lovely, I-
>>>Asuka: Have lost what's left of my sanity.
[]====[]
Fingernails dug into the skin of Shinji's lower back and began the process of
raking down the rest of his meager defenses. His screams had ceased only when
his throat had become too raw to even function. But Shinji was still clawing as
his body jerked in croaking sobs.
"Let go now!"
>>>Rei/Mana: Bout time!
Asuka's voice barely cut through the symphony of noise pollution. While not
having the desired effect, it certainly halted any progression of the grotesque
scene before her. She felt some of the greasy buffet food trying to jump toward
her throat, but Asuka kept her food down, even if it was by a small margin.
>>>Misato: Asuka DOES have feelings in this movie.
>>>Shinji: Any normal person would react to this in the same way.
She leveled the gun she had found lying just short of the alley entrance. It's
black metal weight a striking difference from what she felt whenever her Eva
donned a weapon. She squinted, and made sure the sight lay over the center of
mass.
>>>Shinji: Target the center, pull the switch!
>>>All: Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
The psycho agent turned to look at her, furious rage burning in his dilated
eyes. One hand placed on Shinji's bunched pants, the other on his backside
holding the elastic band of his boxer shorts. Asuka couldn't mistake the malice
the bloody sneer held for her. The agent looked like an animal, some hideous
predator skulking over her whimpering, bleeding companion.
>>>Misato: Its been over twenty seconds and he's still alive?
>>>Asuka: Have to establish motive or I'll be jailed.
The two maintained eye contact. Each sizing up their respective opponent.
Asuka flipped off the safety.
"I said let GO!" Asuka let off a round skyward to add emphasis to her demand.
>>>Mana: I've been waiting for this.
>>>Rei: Usually I dislike violence, but I'll make an exception.
The music came to an abrupt and static-y halt, as faint screams of panic floated
from the nearby bar. Asuka showed her relief by aiming the gun back at the
bleeding agent. The recoil sent a numbing jolt through her arms up to her
shoulders. Though she had barely kept the violent jerk from forcing the gun into
her own face, her eyes betrayed neither fear nor unfamiliarity with the use of
the weapon.
>>>Shinji: How often do you shoot guns Asuka?
>>>Asuka: Um…
>>>Misato: Lil-miss 2nd child has been practicing with the tranq guns lately.
The agent began to raise his hand, careful to make no sudden moves. With equal
caution, he came to his feet and laced his fingers behind his head.
Asuka watched him, waiting for the slightest of excuses to pull the trigger.
>>>Rei: Don't you have that already?
If the deranged security held her eyes, Shinji held her ears. She missed no
whimper or rasp, and every thump of his body as he sloughed his way on torn
forearms and shredded fingertips imprinted itself onto her memory. She was
grateful Dr. Akagi had both home access to the Magi and authority to override
orbital monitoring satellites.
Other agents would arrive soon, she knew.
>>>Misato: Hopefully some with a bit more mentality.
>>>Rei/Mana: Agreed.
But Shinji still clawed his way to freedom. And Asuka knew each dry croak was
really a scream.
[]====[]
"My Lovely."
>>>All: Just die already!
[]====[]
Asuka pulled the trigger. The roar of the gun was deafening and delicious.
The agent looked down at his chest as greater blossoms of crimson emerged in his
white remains of his shirt. As he slumped to his knees, a sad intelligence
flitted across his face - his death unexpected. When it appeared the body was no
longer breathing, Asuka sidestepped her way to her huddled roommate.
>>>Asuka: And the heroin saves the day.
>>>Misato: Almost to late I might add.
Asuka had ruined the track career of a university student who had gotten fresh
with her once. She realized she couldn't fathom what Shinji must have gone
through. With his pants hanging onto only one leg and his shorts revealing part
of his behind, Asuka couldn't find her normally abundant words.
>>>All just watch…noting really could come to mind.
She should have called him weak for crying, for letting himself fall into such a
predicament. Her heart should have mocked him, not swelled with sorrow and…
empathy.
>>>Mana: HE WAS HIS FRIGGEN SECURITY GUARD!
>>>Rei: How was he to know?
>>>Asuka: Let me think.
>>>Shinji: Well I'll still thank you for your delayed save.
Her eyes still watching the immobile agent, Asuka knelt down next to Shinji.
Relieving one hand of gun duty, she worked the brass belt buckle to provide and
slack and then freedom for Shinji's arms. The moment his arms were loose, they
found themselves around Asuka's waist, accompanied by renewed sobs and harsh
whispers that could have been 'thank you.'
>>>Misato: Question- Will she let that happen or shove him off.
>>>Shinji: Real question is could she force me off?
Thrown off balance, Asuka landed on her shoulder and immediately brought both
arms to once again target the agent. It was pointless, no movement that would
indicate breath came from the would-be…
Asuka didn't finish the thought.
>>>Rei: Good, we didn't want to hear it.
Instead, she worked on trying to pry Shinji away from her. To no avail, his
small arms were bands of iron and his face buried into the small of her back.
Settling for being on her feet, Asuka braced herself against the nearby brick
wall and strained at Shinji's uncooperative weight.
>>>Asuka: What weight?
>>>Mana/Misato: He's as heavy as a wet noodle.
She managed to get him to his feet by wedging him between herself and the wall.
His tears were soaking through her dress onto her shoulder.
"Shinji," she said, somewhat ashamed at breaking the silence her arrival had
created. Her only reply came as a cross between a cough and a wail.
Eyeing the body - an object that was thankfully no longer a person –
>>>Rei: It stopped being that a long time ago.
>>>Shinji: It's a bloody mess now.
Asuka began
to work at gaining access to one of his hands. Requiring the use of both hands,
Asuka slipped the gun between the fabric of her bra and her sternum. Once his
hand was away from her side, she felt his remaining arm squeeze tighter and
elicited a small grunt from her.
>>>Misato: You can be forceful at times young man.
>>>Shinji: Don't care, this movie scared the crap out of me.
"Shinji," this time her voice was stern, commanding his attention. It took more
than a few moments for her to gain it. She assumed she had it since his
breathing had eased from racking sobs to hitching gasps. "Shinji." This time it
held more of the concern from the first try.
>>>Rei: She is capable of human compassion.
>>>Mana: This from angel girl.
Holding his hand open with her left, Asuka pulled the gun from her bosom with
her right and placed it in his hand. His grip around her middle loosened and
allowed her to maneuver to where she stood behind him, her left arm hooked under
his armpit. Her right hand made sure the gun didn't slip from his.
>>>Misato: Time for some closure.
>>>Asuka: Extreme closure.
Shinji tried to sink to the ground again, but Asuka wouldn't let him. She could
see the rising bruise on his cheek and drying blood not washed away by rivulets
of tears. His mouth let out a moan as he tried to steer his head away from the
fallen beast. Asuka felt her own eyes sting, knowing that just yesterday this
boy had given her back her life.
She should at least return the favor.
>>>Misato: By forcing him to look at an attempted rapist?
>>>Rei: Ex-rapist, he's dead now.
>>>Shinji/Mana: Good.
"Just end it, Shinji," she said, holding the gun steady for his shaking hands.
Shinji's hand stilled somewhat after some jerky breaths. He actually turned to
face the motionless target. However, it still took the pressure from Asuka's
fingers to pull the trigger and making the body jump as a knee met its
destruction. After that first initial push, though, Shinji had no problems
emptying the remaining contents of the gun.
>>>Shinji: Shooting a dead body?
>>>Asuka: I feel better about it.
They stood there, listening to Shinji pant and dull click of dry fire. After a
while, Asuka let them both sink back to the ground and wait for Misato and Dr.
Akagi to arrive with a small army of men in black suits.
>>>Mana: Why they didn't notice the lack of communication to begin with…
>>>Asuka: How incompetent are the section 2 agents?
[]====[]
During Shinji's heavily sedated three-day stay at the First Cranial NERV, Asuka
had time to complain loudly about ruined dresses, Section 2 incompetence and
Misato's lack of guardianship skills. The then-captain replied with knowledge
about a certain Evangelion pilot's voice mail.
>>>Misato: Point-match.
>>>Rei: She tried being nice.
>>>Mana: It was your bitch ass that wasn't there!
What resulted were a broken refrigerator, a tear-filled debriefing concerning
the family history of a missing roommate, and promise to buy a nicer television.
Asuka had found it hard to believe her guardian and one of the only people who
knew about her mother had spent two years in a mental ward. Well, maybe not that
hard to believe.
>>>Asuka: I knew there had to be an explanation for her behavior!
>>>Shinji: Asuka be nice! Misato had a traumatic experience.
On Shinji's first day back at the apartment, an unspoken agreement was forged:
never to speak of that day again. Asuka would break that contract the second
time Shinji's nightmares woke her up that night.
>>>Rei: Again, something to be expected.
>>>Mana: Your level of bitchiness never surprises me.
The pact would be renewed the
that morning, and would hold when Shinji slept in hall outside Asuka's door.
Asuka would spend her mornings stepping over him and wondering how someone could
so blindly depend on another.
>>>Asuka: Not that I'd complain now.
>>>Misato: Would it be the hall?
>>>Shinji: Lets not talk about my sleeping habits ok?
This concept would fill her thoughts as she waited after school for her pathetic
coworker. It had surprised more than a few people when a brawl had erupted
during the middle of class. It had been even more of a shock when the combatants
were two of the three stooges. Asuka had almost collapsed when the reason for
the scuffle became known to be over some derogatory nicknames for her, Shinji
being her adamant defender.
>>>Shinji: Nobody makes fun of my…
>>>Girls: Go on.
>>>Shinji blushing: Oops.
On the anniversary of his mother's death, Asuka pinched his nose as they kissed.
But she didn't run for any mouthwash afterwards. She would later remark that he
hadn't apologized in a long time. He would still refuse to sell her the last
piece of real estate for her set.
>>>Asuka: DAMN YOU! Why can't you ever lose at Monopoly!
>>>Shinji: Love and real estate never mesh.
After the fifteenth angel, Asuka would wake up in Hikari's bedroom, but
discovered Shinji still sleeping on the Horaki porch. In a dirty bathtub, her
thoughts would be of worthlessness and confusion about the feelings of a shy
Japanese boy.
>>>Mana: What the hell does this have to do with anything?
>>>Misato: I clean our tub out. So where the hell are you?
On a beach paved with white sand, stone monsters would tower over a teenage boy
caressing the cheek of his bandaged and half-strangled companion. She would
return the touch and call him an idiot. But she would understand.
>>>Asuka: What?
>>>Rei: Stone monsters?
>>>Shinji: Lets just forget about this movie.
[]====[]
[]====[]
Disclaimer: I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. Just so ya' know.
Author's Notes:
This story surfaced in my mind much the way a corpse will rise to the surface,
bloated and disgusting and utterly foul. It is a result of reading one or two (I
can't remember now) stories that addressed rape as nothing more than a
convenient plot device with which to break Asuka's spirit and (I suppose) allow
her to be more approachable to Shinji.
Frankly, they disgusted me, both the stories and the casualness with which the
authors were willing to bring such a hideous topic to bare. In fact, this story
disgusts me to a rather large extent and makes me wonder if I should even let it
see light of the day.
This is also a small protest against damsels in distress. I don't think you need
to wear a dress to be in distress. While it is nice to see the weak gain their
strength and stand and be true, it is unlikely. At least without a little push
in the right direction.
Almost half a year went into writing tids and bits of this monstrosity, so I
cannot blame it on sudden inspiration (gods curse such a muse). This was
completely premeditated, like so much madness that lies beneath the happy, shiny
surface.
I do not tackle the subject lightly, and I hope no one else does either. I'm
going to take a shower. I feel soiled.
>>>End MST
Shinji: I need a shower.
Mana: We all do.
Misato: How about we go to the party. We can wash this feeling away later.
Asuka: Shinji I…
Rei: We know, you'd not let that happen.
Shinji: I agree. This movie was truly the most frightening one yet.
Misato: Lets go kids.
Mana: What about him?
Asuka/Rei: Leave him.
Misato/Shinji: Put him on the couch.
Asuka: Next Halloween lets have a traditional scary but not mentally scaring
movie?
All: Agreed.
------------------------------------------------------------
MST author notes
I agree with Rhine's opinion on this matter. Most authors don't understand the
full implications of the intended act. I hope you don't think I take it lightly
either by my msting this story. I hope you enjoyed it and well…take its meaning
into memory.
Now for the Costumes
Rei- Tira Misu Sorcerer Hunters
SHinji Sanada Yukimura Samurai Deeper Kyo
Asuka Parfait Mana Vs Knight Lamune Kaiser Fire 40
Mana- Ranma-chan Ranma ½
Touji-Daikouji Guy Mobile Battleship Nadesico
Misato-Excel Excel Sage
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)