Here's a long post to make up for the delay!
I have a general idea in my head of how things will be mapped out for this CYOA, but for the most part it will relate to how far YOU want things to go.
(For instance, it's possible things may progress as far as 3.0 territory or even post-3rd Impact just depending on what everybody votes on.) Anyway, I'll post the update after this sometime tomorrow (either morning or afternoon, it probably will be more of a "normal" length). Anyway, enjoy!
Noticing Shinji laying on his futon, you smirk as you lean against his sliding door, arms crossed against your chest. "Hey.", you begin, not bothering to address Shinji by his first or last name. He blinks, sitting upright. He seems puzzled you're there.
"Oh, um... Hi, Shikinami.", he stammers, taking his SDAT earbuds out, looking confused. "Uh, did you need something?"
The smirk never leaving your lips, you walk up to Shinji, his face eye-level with your chest. He blushes, but makes sure to maintain eye contact so you don't get the wrong idea. "As a matter of fact, I do."
He's pretty boring. Oh well...He raises an eyebrow. "What is it?" Glancing momentarily around the room, you notice that his few possessions-clothes, some books, a few CDs and DVDs, along with the basic necessitates of furniture--are unpacked and neatly organized.
At least he has sense when it comes to keeping things tidy.Mustering the sweetest voice you can, you say "I need your help putting my room together. You wouldn't mind, would you?" You bend down a bit more for added emphasis. His face looks red enough to start a fire.
"But...but, I have to make dinner soon..."
You frown, straightening. "Oh come on! It's not going to take THAT long!"
Shinji makes a slight fact, flatly replying, "I've seen how many boxes you have, Shikinami."
Rolling your eyes, you shake your head. "Fine." Using some reverse psychology, you head back towards your room, picking up some boxes with one hand, opening the sliding door with the other. It's harder than it looks, considering you didn't realize just how heavy one of the boxes--
"ACK!"
Before you can slip from losing your balance, Shinji has one hand on your back, the other holding the heavy box. "Are you okay, Shikinami?"
Blue meeting blue, you stare into his eyes for a moment. He's really...cute, once you think about it. Almost as if he has a sad poet look to him. Your cheeks turn a slight hint of red (are your eyes fooling you, or did he blush a little too?) as you shake your head to clear it.
"Ye-yeah."
You straighten, setting the box you're holding on the floor next to your bed, placing your clothes into the nearby drawer. At least Shinji's (former) furniture is still here; it makes unpacking a whole lot easier.
"KYAAAA! I didn't give you permission to touch THAT!" Instantly, your hand reaches for the panties Shinji only started to grab, and you push him away.
"But I didn't mean... I mean, I do Misato-san's laundry all the time..."
Blushing, he gulps, working on a box that just has some jeans and tank tops.
You roll your eyes in reply. "And I bet you do ALL sorts of "fun" things to her clothes, too."
"I do not!" Shinji replies, face red. He looks pretty annoyed. "And if you're going to keep making fun of me, forget I offered to help!" He stands, getting ready to leave.
Whoops. It seems you went too far. "Hey wait!"
He turns around to face you, looking confused.
Sighing, you stand, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, okay?" You honestly add, "I do appreciate your help, I just tend to get a little defensive when people touch my things."
He mutters something about "a little?", but accepts your apology, going back to work.
***
About an hour later, the two of you have organized your whole room. Nodding to yourself, satisfied, you put the final item--the most important thing you own--against your futon. The doll that once belonged to your mother, Kyoko. Staring at it, your find yourself frowning. You look up to see if Shinji noticed your sudden change in demeanor, but he already quietly made his way out to the hallway and into the kitchen. He's starting to make dinner.
You're glad. You really don't want to explain the doll to other people, anyway. It's not their business.
Soon enough, dinner is ready. Chicken teriyaki, brown rice, and broccoli? It looks good; smells good too. Mouth watering, you sit down next to Shinji and across from Misato.
"Itadakimasu!" The three of you happily dig in.
Looking across from your seat, some rice in your mouth, you frown. Then you blink.
What's that sitting next to Misato, and why's it drinking beer?
"Um, Misato? What's...?"
A Penguin?! Misato MUST have slipped something into your soda when you weren't looking.
She looks up from her can of beer, all smiles. "Oh, this is Pen Pen. He's a Hot Springs Penguin and your other roommate. Cute, isn't he?" Misato pets Pen Pen on the head, who happily "warks" a hello at you.
You make a face. "Well as long as he doesn't peek at me in the shower, that's fine."
Misato snickers to herself while Shinji tries not to choke on his food. Sighing, you sip some soda, brushing a strand of red hair away from your face.
A pervert, a drunk, and a penguin? This living arrangement is bound to be interesting.
***
That night, you lay in your room. Holding your finger puppet doll from your mother, you play with it.
In what you've dubbed over time as your "doll" voice, you say: ""I'm different from them, I'm special! Because of that..."
You add in your normal voice,"You have no choice but to be alone, Asuka."
You shut your eyes, throwing the doll against the wall.
Mama.... why did you have to die? Why did you have to lose your mind after that Eva experiment?Soon enough, you drift off to a dreamless sleep, thankful that no nightmares plague your thoughts tonight.
***
A few days later, you find yourself at the Maritimal Preservation Zone along with some classmates, Shinji and Rei included. The guide is Kaji, a Nerv agent who worked alongside your stepmother and father back in Germany. You don't know him too well, but at least he seems nice and he's VERY pleasing to the eyes.
After wandering around the area little, you sit down at a bench, taking out a portable game of yours. You let out a relaxed breath. Being around people is fun, but it really wears you out when it's not Nerv-related. At least you have some down time to just relax--
"Ayanami, are you feeling any better since that battle?"
Or maybe not. You stiffen. Shinji is talking to...
"Yes. I'm fine."
That girl. Rei Ayanami, the First Girl, pilot of Evangelion unit-00. You don't know much about her, but something about her just grates on your nerves. It's hard to say what.
Growling under your breath, eyes narrowed, you notice Shinji and Rei are standing together at a nearby fish tank, chatting away about this and that.
Making a face, you....
1) Give them the cold shoulder and continue to play your game. It'll be awhile before lunch, anyway.
2) Interrupt them by joining in on their conversation.