[X]Shinji
-[X] "Shinji, if it was up to me, I'd be sending adult volunteers, not children. If I could pilot the damn thing, I would and not burden you or the others. There's something about you that the Eva responds to. Whatever 'personality' an Eva might have, it wants you in it. Perhaps you can become a better pilot by trying to connect to it in some way. And if you think it's weird to humanize a giant mecha, I've heard of bomb disposal guys who've taken their explosives ordnance robots out fishing."
He is already feeling like he is not making the cut, that he is not cut out for being a pilot, so I feel this would just be a confirmation of that, that yeah if we had our way it would be someone other then you doing this Shinji, and the only thing he has going for him is just a quirk of Unit 1 responding to him.
Anyway been working on this through out my work shift so here is my plan.
Plan Mamma Bear
[X] Shinji:
-[X] Tell him that Rei is being nice to him for the simple fact that she likes him, you are her friend Shinji, one of the few people she actually considers a friend, she likes having you around, as do I for that matter.
--[X] Tell him that his performances in both the battle against the 5th and the 7th Angels are outstanding, even more so when his lack of training comes into focus, Shinji, unlike Rei and Asuka who have been training for this since they were 6-7 years of age you have had only a couple of mouths, you had to hit the ground running in the war against giant space monsters with abilities/forms that even the greatest minds of our species have trouble getting their heads around, we have seen fully trained men cut and run against far lesser odds, seen them breakdown in combat, so believe us when we say this, despite the unbelievable pressure on your shoulders, the fear, the pain when you are hurt, you kept yourself together out there, you didn't fall apart and you kept up the fight, you are doing exemplary, and as your training progresses you will only continue to become a better and better pilot, give him a hug.
[X] Asuka:
-[X] How is Rei our favorite Asuka? in what specific instance did we blatantly favor her over you and Shinji? (if such a thing has occurred we are deeply sorry about) we have taken you into our home, moved in with her so she wouldn't be alone, (something that Rei DID not like at all) tried to include her in everything we do, arranged and threw a party at NERV for her when she told us that almost no one there even knew about her, did our best to insure that she was comfortable and happy, does she think that we would do that just for anyone? does she think that her status as a pilot would make us go that far for her?
--[X] And that we think she is confusing favoritism with familiarity, that the reason why people get along with Rei better is that they know and understand her more, that Rei despite being socially inept does try to be better at it, and people ( Us, Shinji and Hikari) notice that and respond to it, Asuka your Fiery personality ( which we like) does have the consequences of keeping people at arms length, so they don't know you, and so they can't understand you, I know its hard but please keep trying with Rei and Shinji.
-[X]tell her we are sorry that she is feeling this way, and that we would like to spend more time with her, try to get her to give us a hug.
[X]Shinji
-[X] "Shinji, if it was up to me, I'd be sending adult volunteers, not children. If I could pilot the damn thing, I would and not burden you or the others. There's something about you that the Eva responds to. Whatever 'personality' an Eva might have, it wants you in it. Perhaps you can become a better pilot by trying to connect to it in some way. And if you think it's weird to humanize a giant mecha, I've heard of bomb disposal guys who've taken their explosives ordnance robots out fishing."
-[X]"But, even with that in mind, you've only been at this for a few months, while the other two have had years of training. And yet, you've got an impressive Synch Rate, you and Rei mesh extremely well on and off the battlefield, your performance against the Fifth and Seventh Angels was amazing. I don't want to have to put kids in the firing line, but until the universe deigns to rectify this injustice, I'm glad to have you on my team. "
I have this image of Shinji playing music in front of the Eva.
[X] Shinji:
-[X] "Shinji, if it was up to me, I'd be sending adult volunteers, not children. If I could pilot the damn thing, I would and not burden you or the others. There's something about you that the Eva responds to. Whatever 'personality' an Eva might have, it wants you in it. Perhaps you can become a better pilot by trying to connect to it in some way. And if you think it's weird to humanize a giant mecha, I've heard of bomb disposal guys who've taken their explosives ordnance robots out fishing."
You tell Shinji this, but it doesn't seem to immediately lift his spirits. If anything, it seems to depress him more. You scramble to recover. You emphasize that he's more than just a warm body and that you do not feel like you're stuck with him. You think he's done an admirable job so far. You emphasize that Rei and Asuka have years more training than him, and that in spite of this, he is able to keep up. And regardless of what he feels he could have done better, the facts of the matter are that he saved Rei's life, and that were he not there, the world would very much be in trouble. He matters.
You also point out a few of his qualities that Rei likely likes about him and try to get him to consider Rei likes him for who he is as a person. You lightly tease him that Rei might even like him more than a friend. Anything to get him to be a little more like himself.
Shinji says thanks, and doesn't argue with you, but you're not fully sure you got through to him. He still seems reserved and withdrawn for the rest of the day. He does avoid Rei less, though. Small victories.
[X] Asuka:
-[X] ...on second thought, yeah, point out that Shinji was afraid of Rei at first, too. (Don't go into too much detail where it would violate Rei or Shinji's privacy.)
-[X] Mention some of the difficulties Misato had with Rei at first (and maybe some with Shinji, when he finally arrived). Again, try not to get into private details of the other pilots' lives.
-[X] Segue into explaining that Misato, Rei, Shinji, and the rest are all just used to each other.
-[X] Apologize if it seems like we're treating Rei favorably. We're not trying to.
-[X] Thesis: We know how to work with Rei, and with Shinji, and they know how to work together, but we're all still trying to figure out how to fit Asuka into the mix.
-[X] Ask if Asuka can think of anything they can do to fit Asuka in better. "They" as in specifically Misato and Asuka—Misato's willing to help, but not willing to hear Asuka bitch about what Rei or Gendo or the media should be doing.
-[X] Also mention that Rei has said much the same thing about Asuka, that we're favoring her above Rei. That being an adult sometimes means having to balance between the needs of multiple people, and that that's not always easy or even possible - but that Misato really does try. The key is to try to empathize; see things from the other person's perspective - see if Asuka can't come up with a few reasons for Shinji and Rei's behavior that don't start with "they don't like me".
You try to address her points in a calm and understanding manner. Asuka might be annoying to listen to vent, but she's clearly telling you all these things for a reason. If she didn't think you'd listen, you don't think she would bother. She's hoping you'll agree with her, or at least validate her feelings, you think. You decide to address the thing that most of her complaints have in common: that she's losing a favoritism contest to her fellow pilots, namely Rei.
You admit there isn't very much you can do about her classmates. You privately think that there's a combination of Asuka's abrasive personality and other factors at work resulting in her failure to befriend anyone, but you don't think telling Asuka that people dislike her as a person is really going to be helpful. Part of the issue is probably that Asuka is a transfer student, and so she doesn't have much of an in with her classmates. The fact that she's also captured the hearts of her male schoolmates probably also has not helped her popularity among girls her age, who view her as competition (You wonder vaguely to yourself whether Rei also sees Asuka as competition for a boy she likes, but honestly, the thought of trying to give Rei any kind of relationship advice gives you a headache).
You explain that you understand where Asuka is coming from, and that you've noticed she's been feeling isolated since she arrived in Tokyo-3. That said, you're really not trying to favor Rei over her, and you're sorry if your actions have given that impression to Asuka. You explain that feeling the way she feels is normal for anyone, but especially a girl her age, being placed in an unfamiliar situation. You explain briefly that when Rei first moved into your apartment, the two of you did not always get along, and further, that when Shinji was added to the dynamic, Rei and Shinji did not initially get along either.
Asuka snorts. She finds that hard to believe. You decide to gloss over the successful arcade outing you had them go on to get them to like each other and mention that for a long time after Shinji moved in, you could not get them to even be in the same room together for a while. Shinji is just a shy boy. It's hard to get him out of his comfort zone. And you're aware that Rei is firmly outside the concept of "comfort zone" for most people. Asuka agrees. You've got that right. She's so weird.
You lightly reprimand Asuka. Rei's not going to be nicer to her if Asuka keeps telling her things like that. But she is weird, Asuka protests. Did you know that when Asuka moved in Rei used to follow her around the apartment just to glare at her? That is not normal. Asuka didn't even do anything but exist. What's her problem?
You figure that Rei was probably trying to keep tabs on the "spy" in her house, but it's probably best you don't tell Asuka this. There's definitely some prejudice on Rei's part that is alienating Asuka that you should address separately. Debating Rei's relative weirdness with Asuka is not a productive avenue of discussion. You get back on topic.
Regardless, your point is that it's going to take some time for people to get used to having Asuka around. It was the case when Rei moved in, and it was the case when Shinji moved in. Everyone here is used to living with each other. They're all still trying to figure out where Asuka fits in, that's all. Asuka needs to be patient.
Asuka groans. That's such a boring excuse. How long is she going to have to wait? What if everyone decides they're better off without her? They'd be wrong, of course...but still. You ask Asuka to do some serious thinking. To use her big brain.
No need to be so condescending, what do you want her to think about? You tell her to think about things that you and Asuka can do to help her feel more welcome here. And only you and her. You tell her straight up that you cannot make other people like her. You have very little control over her classmates, her roommates, NERV's PR department, or your boss. Especially your boss. You really empathize with Asuka regarding him. You do not feel like she was given a fair assessment, and you suspect, based on what Kaji said about what NERV thinks of her, that will likely not change.
You ask Asuka to also think about reasons why people might not be behaving the way she wants them to. That don't involve simply disliking her for no reason. You tell her you think she's smarter than that. Asuka says hmpf. You tell her that she has reasons for not wanting to spend time with Rei, right? Rei probably has reasons for her own behaviors, too. Asuka retorts indignantly. Are you saying it's her fault that Rei's being…so…so—
You give her a stern look. No, you're not blaming her. There could be a number of reasons Rei's acting like this. You know yourself that part of the reason is indeed Asuka's own actions, but you keep that to yourself. You just ask her to think about it. Rei has her reasons. Asuka should try to figure them out. Unless she's admitting Rei's too complicated for her to understand…?
As if, Asuka tells you. You tell her that part of being mature is learning to balance multiple people's desires with your own, and sometimes that's difficult. Asuka rolls her eyes and says yeah, yeah, she gets it. She'll try. Because she's an adult.
You close by telling her that she does not have to do this alone. If she figures out an action to take, you will try to help. Asuka says she can handle it by herself. Still, you let her know you're there for her.
Random Event
You learn from the pilots' school that a school trip to Okinawa is coming up soon. You're incredulous that they would even permit this kind of travel in unprecedented times like these, but you figure they're probably just trying to let the kids have a "normal" school life in whatever way they can. Still, if it were up to you, you wouldn't let it happen. You never had a school trip yourself due to the large-scale unrest in the world after Second Impact (and the fact you spent half of your high school years in intensive psychiatric care). You feel a little bit envious, but maybe you'll take a nice, long vacation after all this happens. That sounds nice.
Anyway, the issue here is that you really cannot let all your Evangelion pilots travel to the far end of the country in the midst of the Angel attacks. You have no idea when the next one will strike, and so far, the Magi have not found any pattern or signs they'll attack. It's not even clear where they're coming from yet. Theories range from deep under the ocean, to the South Pole, to even the dark side of the moon.
At least one of them is going to have to stay behind. You don't know who, though. What will you do?
[ ] Let one or two of them go on the trip, and leave the other(s) behind. Things have been stressful, and maybe a vacation (sigh) will help manage that stress. It'd be good for them to have some sense of normalcy in their lives. You'll have to work shorthanded if one shows up. (Select pilots to stay/go)
[ ] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards. [ ] Go on vacation, just you and Pen2. You deserve it. God, do you deserve it. (Sobbing)
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
[X] Shinji:
-[X] "Shinji, if it was up to me, I'd be sending adult volunteers, not children. If I could pilot the damn thing, I would and not burden you or the others. There's something about you that the Eva responds to. Whatever 'personality' an Eva might have, it wants you in it. Perhaps you can become a better pilot by trying to connect to it in some way. And if you think it's weird to humanize a giant mecha, I've heard of bomb disposal guys who've taken their explosives ordnance robots out fishing."
You tell Shinji this, but it doesn't seem to immediately lift his spirits. If anything, it seems to depress him more. You scramble to recover.
I see why most people that use child soldiers don't worry about their mental health. Keeping them ready for combat and in a moderately healthy headspace is quite the ordeal.
(Yes, I realize I have the causality backwards.)
(You wonder vaguely to yourself whether Rei also sees Asuka as competition for a boy she likes, but honestly, the thought of trying to give Rei any kind of relationship advice gives you a headache).
Does "No" qualify as advice? Because for as long as they're coworkers in the saving-the-world business, it seems like dating might be a bad idea...especially since these teenagers have the emotional maturity of teenagers.
Asuka agrees. You've got that right. She's so weird.
You lightly reprimand Asuka. Rei's not going to be nicer to her if Asuka keeps telling her things like that. But she is weird, Asuka protests.
You close by telling her that she does not have to do this alone. If she figures out an action to take, you will try to help. Asuka says she can handle it by herself. Still, you let her know you're there for her.
I'm starting to think Asuka is just an extroverted Rei clone.
You learn from the pilots' school that a school trip to Okinawa is coming up soon. You're incredulous that they would even permit this kind of travel in unprecedented times like these...
No, the incredible thing would be schools in Okinawa having school trips to Tokyo-3. Every day the kids spend in Okinawa is a day they definitely won't be attacked by Angels.
Probably.
[Q] Consider the odds of an Angel attacking Okinawa while the pilots are visiting.
[X] Talk with the pilots. If one of them doesn't want to go on the school trip in the first place, there shouldn't be hard feelings if they stay behind, right?
I'm inclined to tell Asuka to stay and have Rei and Shinji go. I suspect that Rei doesn't have a real conception of how much of a world there is, and this would expand it for her. Shinji to make sure she doesn't just stay in the hotel the whole time. Asuka meanwhile could use a break from them to sort herself out some.
[X] Due to the risks involved, only allow one to go. Ask them who wants to go, and use a lottery system to determine which of the remaining pilots gets to be the winner. Preferably involving Pen2 somehow.
Rei would probably reject it for logistical reasons, Shinji doesn't strike me as super into Okinawan beach vacations, and Asuka would want to go at first to show off, arrive, and realize that Second Impact global warming made it gigahot down there and it sucks. I'm biased because I don't like the beach.
Also if Rei stays behind and an Angel attacks while Asuka is down there, then Rei will get the kill credit and she can't have that or we'll all die, but you don't plan your ego around failure, y'know?.
This feels like the word problem about getting a fox, a chicken, and a bag of grain across a river.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
Leaning toward sending Shinji on his own, some time away with school friends might help his mental state. Yes, he doesn't want to be disposable, but Misato can talk him around to giving him time off.
It also removes him as an object between Rei and Asuka. There's more opportunities to build trust between them that way, and their relationship is the one that needs fixing the most.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
Can we make a vacation plan that will keep us in vicinity of Tokyo 3? Like maybe a trip on the town to a hotel for a few days to get out of the house, maybe go to some temples and all? Because I see only bad things going on if only 1 or 2 go on the trip but neither do I want to deprive our little munchkins from a vacation when they're in their teens.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
[X] Talk with the pilots. If one of them doesn't want to go on the school trip in the first place, there shouldn't be hard feelings if they stay behind, right?
I think that before making a decision to leave, you need to ask the pilots themselves. Then you can more or less come to a compromise.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
In character, this is the option that makes the most sense for Misato, fairness aside:
- Nobody else can do the pilot's jobs (disregarding spoilers)
- Angels are getting progressively difficult to fight and require multi-Eva coordination to combat
- If one pilot fails, in all likelihood it'll be too late to get the other pilots to the Geofront before it's breached
Not to mention that Gendo would probably just straight up yank the pilot's chains if they tried to get dangerously far from Tokyo-3.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
[X] If not all of them can go, nobody gets to go. Your conversation with Asuka has gotten you thinking about fairness, and you don't feel like it'd be right to let some of your pilots go on an amazing vacation (wistful sigh) while the rest of you are stuck here in Tokyo-3. Besides, it'd be a good chance to let them catch up on their studies. You've seen their report cards.
Hopefully Misato will tell the pilots before they have already gone holiday shopping this time...
I would consider adding a provision that NERV gives them an IOU or plans a more local holiday, but the chance of Gendo signing off on that are about the same as him spontaneously declaring that Asuka is his and Ritusko's long-lost daughter and moving in with Misato. Possibly something to consider for the next outing we do?
[X] Let one or two of them go on the trip, and leave the other(s) behind. Things have been stressful, and maybe a vacation (sigh) will help manage that stress. It'd be good for them to have some sense of normalcy in their lives. You'll have to work shorthanded if one shows up. (Select pilots to stay/go)
-[X] Rei stays, Asuka and Shinji go
[X] Let one or two of them go on the trip, and leave the other(s) behind. Things have been stressful, and maybe a vacation (sigh) will help manage that stress. It'd be good for them to have some sense of normalcy in their lives. You'll have to work shorthanded if one shows up. (Select pilots to stay/go)
-[X] Rei stays, Asuka and Shinji go
This way, we can give Asuka and Shinji some opportunity to interact without Rei as a complicating factor.
Also, Rei and Misato get to spend time with each other. Which should be good for two reasons:
- Rei has been missing Misato, and having that door connecting the apartments is not the same, and
- Misato could really use a break from the headache of managing all three children at once.
[X] Let one or two of them go on the trip, and leave the other(s) behind. Things have been stressful, and maybe a vacation (sigh) will help manage that stress. It'd be good for them to have some sense of normalcy in their lives. You'll have to work shorthanded if one shows up. (Select pilots to stay/go)
-[X] Rei stays, Asuka and Shinji go
[X] Let one or two of them go on the trip, and leave the other(s) behind. Things have been stressful, and maybe a vacation (sigh) will help manage that stress. It'd be good for them to have some sense of normalcy in their lives. You'll have to work shorthanded if one shows up. (Select pilots to stay/go)
-[X] Rei stays, Asuka and Shinji go
