Also I'm glad that someone is starting to understand that her actions can hurt others

Excerpt from Episode IV: The Last Hope – Chapter 12 – Fast times at Tokyo–3 Junior High
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February 9, 2016 – Tokyo–3 Old Hakone Quarter

Mari had decided instead of returning home, she would go see if Rei was alright. After their sync tests, Rei had left rather quickly and hadn’t said a word, which worried Mari a great deal. So, Mari asked Shinji where Rei lived, and told him to just go home and relax. So, Mari got dressed and set straight off to the outskirts of town where Rei lived.

“I hope blueberry is ok, she didn’t look great when she rushed out of the locker room.” Mari said to herself. “Let’s see, this is the right street…”

When she arrived and saw the buildings all around her, Mari was appalled by their appearance. “Really, she lives in this dump?” Mari scoffed. “NERV can’t afford something better? Jesus Christ, Gendo, be less of a dick…”

Mari walked inside and knocked on rang the doorbell, which turned out to be broken.

“Piece of shit…” Mari said as she reached for the handle, the door opened with Rei wearing a long white shirt and rubbing her eyes. “Hey blueberry, everything ok?”

“No. I am tired from today, and I am not feeling well.” Rei replied. “But I am surprised to see you here.”

“Well, I wanted to see if you were ok. You left in a hurry.” Mari said.

“As I said, I was not feeling well.” Rei said weakly. “I just wish to get some sleep.”

“Do you mind if I at least get you into bed?” Mari asked. “You know, tuck you in and everything, and make sure you’re alright?”

“No, I would not mind that at all.” Rei said. “That would be very kind of you, Mari.”

Mari followed the girl inside and saw how dirty the place was. She looked around in anger and shock at the conditions and how awful they were. Dirt and grime everywhere, and everything looked extremely old, like pre–Second Impact old.

“Rei, why do you live here?” Mari asked. “Wouldn’t you rather live somewhere nicer?”

“I live here because I am ordered to by the Commander.” Rei said. “This is the location he chose for me to live.”

“Would you move if given the chance?” Mari asked.

“I do not know.” Rei said. “I do not like living alone anymore, but I do not have a choice, I must do as I am told.”

“Why?” Mari asked as she helped the weakened Rei into bed. “Why can’t you have a choice in where you live?”

“That is not my purpose.” Rei said. “My purpose is to pilot the EVA, I cannot change things that are out of my control.”

“What if someone changed them for you?” Mari asked as she sat down on Rei’s bed. “If you could, would you move in with me, the puppy, and the princess?”

“If it were possible I would, but I doubt it is.” Rei said. “It would be nice to be around people that make me feel wanted.”

“What do you mean?” Mari asked. “Don’t you feel wanted all the time?”

“No, I do not.” Rei said. “When I am at NERV with Dr. Akagi, I feel quite alone, but being around you, Shinji, and Asuka makes me feel happy, like I belong somewhere. Even Toji and Kensuke make me feel welcome now, and Hikari has always treated me nicely. I do not like being alone, but I do not have any other choice.”

“Of course you have a choice, ask the Commander to move.” Mari said.

“I cannot.” Rei said. “It is not a choice that I can make.”

“Well, I’ll figure something out for you, Rei.” Mari said. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“I do not see how you can assist, but I appreciate it all the same.” Rei said.

Mari stood up and tucked Rei in snugly. “There you are, Rei.” Mari said. “Maybe when you’re feeling better, we can go get you some new sheets.”

“That would be very kind of you, Mari.” Rei said.

“Do you want me to stay?” Mari asked. “I don’t have to go yet.”

“No, I will be fine, Mari.” Rei said. “You do not need to worry.”

“Well, I’ll worry anyway.” Mari said as she hugged Rei gently. “Now feel better, I want to see you at school tomorrow, otherwise I’ll come back here and care your ass back to health.”

“Mari, as always, you articulate your thoughts so colorfully.” Rei said. “I promise I will be in school tomorrow.”

“I’m glad.” Mari said. “Goodnight now, blueberry.”

“Goodnight, Mari.” Rei said as Mari left.
–––

Thank you first for taking this plug suite and making a much better scene out of it where all of the pilots have to wear them and don't like them.

And for taking this from 2.22 scene and making it feel much more heartfelt and genuine

These two though really need to resolve there differences and I think that maybe Mari needs to tell Asuka that her heart lies elsewhere further down the line

Excerpt from Episode V: SEELE Strikes Back – Chapter 3 – Battle Routine Set… Execute!; Ireul Invades
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Chapter 3 – Battle Routine Set… Execute!; Ireul Invades
April 30, 2016 – NERV HQ

A delivery of new cleanroom protein plates were being delivered, and Ritsuko was inspecting each one with Maya's assistance.

"Ma'am, why are we inspecting each one of these?" Maya asked.

"Well, it's mainly to make sure we don't ruin the cleanroom's integrity." Ritsuko explained. "Especially with the next test with the simulation bodies coming up soon, I'd rather be safe than sorry. So, we'll scan each plate with the UV scanner and then move on, we only have a few left to do."

"Will they have to wear those test plugsuits again?" Maya asked.

"No, this time they won't be wearing anything." Ritsuko said. "I'd like data of them without the aid of the plugsuits at all."

"Isn't that a little mean?" Maya asked.

"No, Maya, it's for science." Ritsuko replied. "I know Asuka and Mari will baulk, and Shinji will groan, but at least Rei will be good and not question the validity of the idea." Ritsuko smirked. 'Ahhh, Maya, such the little innocent girl… life will be so disappointing once you realize that I don't like you at all…'

"Does Major Katsuragi know?" Maya asked.

"No, if she knows, she'll tell them, then the test will be blown off." Ritsuko said. "We can't have that, especially seeing as we're running a check on the MAGI the day before. It has to be done as soon as possible." Ritsuko smiled again. 'That and I want to hear the shock and anger from those two whores when they realize that they have to be naked in front of Shinji.' Ritsuko thought savagely. 'This will teach them to complain about the test plugsuits the way they did. I'll show that whore Asuka who's the boss… and Mari too… they're both such vile girls, having opinions and standing up to my authority… they remind of Misato when she dated Kaji… and Misato was whore then too, and still is in my eyes…'

"Yes, ma'am!" Maya said. "But where are these being installed?"

"These 37 plates are going to be installed in the 87th Protein Wall adjacent to the Pribnow Box." Ritsuko explained. "That's why these are so important to check."

"Well, I scanned all the ones in my stack, ma'am." Maya said happily. "All clear."

"And I've finished mine." Ritsuko said. "No abnormalities were found, these are cleared for installation."

"So, what should we do now?" Maya asked.

"Well, we should run diagnostics on the EVAs, just to be sure they're in battle condition." Ritsuko ordered.

"Which one first, ma'am?" Maya asked.

"Unit–01 of course." Ritsuko said. "The Commander's standing orders are that all resources are to be directed at Unit–01 first."

"Right away, ma'am!" Maya said "Then I'll do Unit–XP, Unit–02, and Unit–00"

"Fair enough." Ritsuko said. "I have some paperwork to do, so I'll leave you to it." Ritsuko grimaced. 'And I want to get away from your incessant prattling.' Ritsuko thought.

"Understood." Maya replied.

As the two of them walked off, the plate on the top had a small hexagonal orange field erupt around it, and then a small red dot began to glow almost imperceptibly to the human eye. It had been activated by a chemical reaction of the powerful UV rays from the scanner.

The little red dot blinked faintly and began to start assimilating the materials around it, slowly growing from the size of a single cell to four within no time at all. As the plate was carried to the installation area, the four cells burrowed into the plate as it was lowered into the sterile heavy water to protect itself from being injured.

Ireul was online, and it was learning…
–––

Very detestable woman is that Ritsuko in your story. I do like you seeing Maya questioning her a bit more in this though. Always like to see more of her. That said I'm looking forward to seeing Mari's reaction to the others in the next part. I can imagine her not being too bothered by it or being quite distracted by Rei :P

Shit did she ever pop her cork...