[X] "No." Tell Shinji sometimes life is a lot more complicated than you'd like. Admit you don't cope very well sometimes. If he asks what this about, tell him it's classified, unfortunately.
-[X] If he indicates concern, give an apology for worrying him, and ruffle his hair, before telling him he's on his way to being a fine man.
-[X] Tell him about your dad, scar included.
-[X] Ask Shinji which side of the apartment we're on.
-[X] If on Asuka and Misato's side, ask what he's doing over here.
-[X] If on Shinji and Rei's side, wonder what you're doing over there.
You tell him no. Shinji stiffens, evidently unsure of what to do. Perhaps he wasn't expecting you to be honest. Perhaps he was just going through the motions of social interaction. You tell him life is hard and complicated right now, that's all. Shinji mumbles okay and looks into his tea.
You can tell he's worried, but he's too awkward to express it outwardly. You're not sure if he's more worried about you or himself, though. It does kind of hurt your feelings that he doesn't even seem that curious, but you brush those feelings aside for now. You apologize for worrying him and ruffle his hair. You tell him he's becoming a fine young man. He gently pushes your arm away from his head and mutters something to himself.
You ask if you've ever told him about your father. He says yeah, you mentioned him a while ago. Before Shinji even became a pilot. You said that you didn't get along with your dad, right? You nod. But there's more to it than that. Shinji looks up in confusion. What do you mean?
You get your glass of water, and you tell him.
You tell him about what happened on December 13, 2000, in Antarctica. You tell him about your injuries. You tell him why you work for NERV. You tell him you will kill every last Angel. You tell him they will pay.
Shinji drops his tea at some point during this story. The cup shatters on the ground. The hot tea makes a hissing sound as it spreads across the cold floor. Shinji seems to be at a loss for words. He eventually comes up with "Oh." You wonder if maybe this was a little too intense for him. Shinji seems to snap out of it at a moment and he apologizes for the mess he just made, and busily tries to clean it up. He seems afraid. You help Shinji with the broken porcelain on the floor. You apologize for making him uncomfortable. Shinji says it's fine in a way that very much indicates it's not fine, but he's not mad at you for it, at least.
You ask which side of the apartment you're on. Or you try to, anyway. Something happens in your still-hungover brain that turns this query into "what're you doing in Asuka's kitchen?". Shinji expresses confusion. This is the old apartment's kitchen. There are two fridges, see? He points out Pen
2's fridge. You were passed out on the couch all afternoon and evening. You were in Rei's "spot" on the couch, and Shinji informs you that she was annoyed about that. She, um, doesn't like people interrupting her evening routine.
After you finish cleaning up the broken cup, Shinji says he's going to bed and scurries out of the kitchen after a hasty "good night". You sigh. Maybe you let on too much about yourself. As you fill your glass up with more water, Rei enters the kitchen very quietly and scares you when you turn around. You spill water on yourself.
Rei stares at you, as is her way, but there's a quiet anger in her eyes. Rei says you drink too much.
You do
not drink too much. You are in control of your life. You can perform your job adequately. Your drinking habits do not disrupt your day-to-day life. This was an isolated incident caused by extreme stress. Rei is being annoying.
You tell her you appreciate the concern, but it's none of her business. Rei's mouth stretches into a thin line. She sees. Rei says she does not know what you said to Shinji, but she tells you in a warning tone not to say it to him again. Good night, Major. She leaves the kitchen in silence. She can really move quietly. Reminds you of a cat.
You decide to get some real sleep rather than "intoxicated stupor" sleep, so you move to your bedroom. You decide to sleep in an extra hour and set your alarm accordingly. You can deal with Rei and Shinji in the morning.
BLOOD TYPE BLUE CONFIRMED. ANGEL DETECTED APPROACHING TOKYO-3.
You're awakened at the asscrack of dawn by your pager whining loudly. You personally insisted that NERV provide one as shrill and annoying as possible to prevent you from sleeping in during an Angel attack. You want to punch Past Misato. You check your alarm clock. 4:42 AM. You groan.
You quickly make your way into Asuka's room and shake her awake. Asuka whines she wants five more minutes and tries unsuccessfully to burrow into her sheets before you rip her out of bed. Asuka glowers at you and says fine, she's…yawn…ready to kick some ass, before literally kicking you out of her room so she can change. Ugh. Teenagers.
You wake Shinji up next. He seems disoriented but doesn't give you much trouble. Rei is somehow already awake and aware of the situation, and you walk in on her getting dressed. Rei explains that Gendo contacted her. You grunt your understanding at her before returning to your room to quickly throw on your uniform.
The four of you get into your car as you floor it to the Geofront. Asuka complains about the early hour. Shinji tells her to give it a rest. Asuka turns on Shinji. You tell both of them to shut up. They apologize. Rei looks out the window at the Angel with an unreadable expression.
TAMIEL
~Der Engel des Giftes~
The Angel is a white serpentine thing. Its body is covered in a chitinous exoskeleton. It is wrapped around the upper reaches of Mount Daigatake. Its body is loosely covered in curved yellow spikes. Its tail ends in a stinger. Its head is on the far side of the mountain. The trees on the mountain have turned red. The air smells like rust.
The early warning system was successful. Evacuation has successfully completed, and the shelters have retracted.
Your combat readiness is
Good. The Geofront has sustained
Minor damage.
The JSSDF is prepared to assist with the battle. Their combat readiness is
Fair. Their attitude towards you is
Lukewarm.
MOVEMENT I
~Grave~
Defend the Geofront. You have the following weapons at your disposal:
- Progressive Knife
- Sonic Glaive – A progressive knife on a very long stick. Not to be used as a brace under any circumstances.
- SEM Crossbow MM-144 – a crossbow that fires electromagnetic bolts at high speeds
- Positron Rifle Mk. 20 – shoulder mounted rifle that fires antimatter rounds. Requires external power, very finite ammunition. Can be charged.
- Smash Hawk (new!) – a single-bit axe weapon similar to a battleaxe with a high frequency cutting surface. Not as long as the Sonic Glaive, but heavier and with a wider cutting surface.
Select
one primary weapon for each pilot:
[ ] Equip Rei with:
[ ] Equip Shinji with:
[ ] Equip Asuka with:
