Thank you so very much for my new screensaver.
Exclusively for Aurelian. TL;DR
A bit rewritten, disgustingly blown out of proportions and still not making much sense:
Warnings for Nigoki acting silly and Shogoki’s angsting (channeling Shinji, gods forgive me)
1.
Shogoki was familiar with routine. Strip down, wait until white coats fasten electrodes all over her body and VR helmet over her head, get on the table and endure. This time they broke the routine by using web like hood.
“Okay, Shogoki, sit down and relax” Akagi checked connections and patted eva’s arm “You may lay down if you want.”
Evangelion nodded and walked to the table, moving carefully, mindful of electrodes. From behind reinforced glass scientists observed the eva sitting then lying down with a great sigh.
“She’s exhausted dr Akagi – Maya, one of the technicians said – maybe we should wait with this until…”
“No, this is as good time as ever. We need to check this out as soon as possible. Last time we’ve got strange readings from her hypothalamus. Shogoki? – Akagi said – Don’t move, do you understand? We need to run whole sequence or the test will be repeated.”
Shogoki showed thumbs up and stilled. She was tired from earlier battle, sore and bruised and really didn’t want to make this whole test-business longer than necessary. White coats rarely took her comfort into their accounts but, heeey, this time they even did remember to cower lab table with blanket. Just being able to lay down felt great… Akagi took a quick glance at the monitors. Implant readings were clear and strong. It was designed as controller, activating evangelions brain’s punishment circuit. With little reprogramming and calibration it could be used to stimulate various other brain centers, too. In the test room Shogoki sighed again and closed her eyes.
………………………………………..
Eva arched convulsively with a quickly silenced wail. Too much.
“Stress levels over scale!! - Maya shouted. She rarely saw evangelions as living, thinking beings, but this shouldn’t be happening.
“Cut it! – Akagi yelled.
In the test room Shogoki gradually relaxed, limply dropping on the table. After long moment she covered her face with trembling hands and slowly curled into fetal position.
“Well, her hypothalamus works after all. – Kyoko angrily lighted a cigarette and took a long drag. “I wonder how do we explain this to her.”
Yui Ikari just watched monitors. This was wrong. “Readings?”
“No… damage detected” – Maya droned, she couldn’t look at anyone in the room, much less at the eva. – Stress levels still over scale”.
“So it’s the core… - Akagi stopped abruptly. In the test room Shogoki sluggishly raised herself into sitting position. And pulled blanked around her body.
“Dear god – Kyoko muttered – NOW we have a real problem”.
Evangelions were never bothered with nudity. They spent enough time in various laboratories and hospitals to treat it as something normal. And yet, now Shogoki felt compelled to cover herself. For the first time it occurred to science staff, that maybe they should consider that eva could feel uncomfortable, insecure or emotionally hurt. Still moving far too slowly eva pulled the hood from her head and started to tear of electrodes from her body.
“Shogoki, stop! – Akagi snapped through intercom. Eva winced but didn’t stop. She crushed electrodes in her fist and rose to her feet.
“Why? – it was more bestial growl than her normal, slightly inhuman voice. In the observation room all scientists tensed. Eva ignored a direct order. Without any warning sign Shogoki jumped to the window, fist impacted it with enough force to make slight crack in reinforced glass and blood smeared its surface.
“Explain me why!!” evangelion roared, one bloody hand pressed to glass, the other protectively curled around the blanket covering her body. Pain was insignificant, adrenaline and raw fury overpowered dizziness and weakening of her muscles. Not this time.
“Stand down Shogoki. It was standard procedure…”
“NO! It WASN’T!” – eva slapped the window leaving more bloody handprints. Ikari raised from her seat. It was getting dangerous. Shogoki was notorious for her independent acting on the battlefield and spectacular outbursts of violence when pushed over her limits. They just ignored it. And now they had an eva definitely well over any thresholds of control.
“Shogoki…” – Akagi started.
“No! Let me out! I! Want! Out! NOW!!!” – Evangelion howled, her eyes turning from green into glowing white. Too much, too much. Everything she was taught, forced obedience and imprinted respect for humans, were gone. Anger and betrayal were strong enough to break conditioning, paralyzing flash of pain when her implant fried went almost unnoticed. She wasn’t a tool, she wasn’t a toy to be played with. She fought for them, suffered for them, endured pain and discomforts they caused just to satisfy their curiosity. She trusted them, she believed they wouldn’t hurt her deliberately, everything they did served purpose, they would make her stronger, healthier, they would treat her like a person not worse than an animal, but mindless tool. This was personal, and they just took it from her just like everything else, without second thought… too much. Raw, blinding fury. Shogoki threw her head back and roared.
“Fuck, berserker! Maya, gas! – Akagi snapped.
“Belay that! – Yui slapped technician’s hand from the button – “Let her go. We’ve done enough harm today. I will talk to her later.”
“You want her rampaging through base now?! – Akagi yelled waving toward the test room where evangelion hurled the table into the far wall and lunged for the window again. More blood splattered on the surface and new cracks appeared.
“OUT! – there was nothing human left in the eva’s voice.
“Shogoki – Yui said through intercom – I know you are angry, but please calm down a little. Then, I’m going to open the door, okay?”
Evangelion jerked back from the window as if burned. The look of madness disappeared from her eyes replaced by shock. And…betrayal?
“Yui?” – she said in a small voice. – “You saw? You…knew?”
Ikari frowned. She didn’t expect any reaction from the furious eva, much less such drastic switch in the mood, in a second berserker turned into something that could only be described as a hurt child. Shogoki stared at the window, trying to find her friend behind the reflexive, cracked glass. Crouched in the middle of destruction, blood splattered blanket loosely hanging from her shoulder, blood gathering in the corner of her mouth, where she obviously bit through her lip, she suddenly looked like a victim, completely lost, almost broken.
“Sho – Ikari had to clear her suddenly tightened throat – you may go now.”
They watched as she stumbled out from the wrecked test room, tightly hugging blanked around herself. For a long time there was silence.
“She fried her implants.” – Akagi said finally. Ikari shot her poisonous look.
“We are not going to replace them.”
“Yui! – Akagi snapped – “Without them she’s a wild card! She’s dangerous, especially now…”
“We won’t do it”.
“Marvelous, an evangelion with a free will” – Akagi growled.
“My dear, you just repeated sin from genesis scenario – Kyoko smiled nastily.
“A what?! Are you out of your mind? - Akagi sneered – Why should this be any different than all the other tests we performed? She was howling like a banshee, couldn’t move for hours, and now she goes berserker after a little brain tweaking?!”
“Your lack of basic empathy never ceases to surprise me.”
“We shouldn’t do that” – Ikari said quietly.
“You didn’t protest before we started.”
“I didn’t. I was wrong.”
“I did – Kyoko said, and lightened another cigarette – you said it’s necessary. And your evangelions are well trained, not like, as you oh so charmingly put it, my ‘bumbling idiot’. By the way, I deny you any access to said idiot. Evangelions are intelligent. They have as much sensitivity and they are as much emotional as we are.” – she angrily threw her cigarette to the floor and walked out of the room.
Ikari and Akagi looked at each other.
“What’s done is done. – Yui said finally - I need to speak with Gendo. And you may play with the readings. We will need results, after all.”
………………………………………..
“Okay, but we will be on stand by nearby. We will shot to kill, Mrs. Ikari. Commander’s orders.”
………………………………………..
“What do you want Ikari?” – Shogoki growled. She didn’t move from her curled position in the corner of her bed. Yui hesitated in the threshold. During last hours Shogoki obviously did a lot of thinking, sorted her emotions and settled on anger. And it seemed she didn’t consider Yui Ikari her friend anymore.
“I wanted to talk…”
“About the … test?” – another growl.
“And other things. May I come in?”
The eva raised her head, green eyes narrowed into slits.
“You ask now?”
“I wanted to say we are sorry. We shouldn’t do that.” – At first Ikari just wanted to check on the eva, sweet-talk her into obedience again, hoping Section two would be fast enough if something went wrong, and now she felt real guilt rising inside her. It wasn’t human, in front of her, no, but still a sentient being. A person. Really hurt person, who had all rights in the world to be furious at humanity as whole.
“Sorry – Shogoki raised to her feet – Soorrrrrrrry – she growled – As if this little worrrd changed anything, Ikarrri.”
It took a lot of will from the scientist to not step back. Without implant nothing could stop the eva from attacking her if she wished so. Certainly not those men hiding behind the corner and their laughable handguns…
“Come in, Ikari. – Shogoki said after long moment and suddenly deflated, sat on the bed, again tired and hurt. It was so easy to forget that inside that warrior’s body was really young and inexperienced mind. Ikari carefully stepped into the room, the doors closed behind her. Shogoki stared at her own hands.
“I trusted you – she said quietly – I trusted you will never do anything wrong to me…”
There was so much of disappointment in the eva’s voice, the scientist winced.
“Before, it hurt, it really hurt sometimes, but I knew it had purpose” – Shogoki started to pick on scabs on her right hand – “I don’t like pain, but if it makes me stronger, I can deal with it. You created me for fight, I can deal with that too” – her fists clenched. – Now...”
“Sho…”
“No, I was listening for long enough! What am I to you? A tool? An experiment? A toy??”
“You are none of these things”. – Yui reached for her hands but eva jerked back. “You are a person, we were wrong from the very beginning. Things will be different from now on.”
Shogoki stared at the woman. Part of her desperately wanted to believe those words, the very first excuses she ever heard from human, another boiled with anger and frustration, but for the most she felt betrayed.
”And yet you just… did this… thing… to me!”
“We… we didn’t know…”
“You did! You should ask me do I … if I…” Shogoki clenched her eyes and helplessly shook her head. Yui grimaced, this was getting harder, much harder emotionally than she expected. She wasn’t ready to deal with a breakdown. Evangelions were simple beings, or at least they were supposed to be simple beings. Or maybe nobody cared to pay attention.
“Shogoki, you are aware we are still learning.” – she said bluntly, trying to overcome discomfort and pity.
“You won’t test me again! Or any other evangelion! – Shogoki shouted, jumped to her feet, fists balled, mad glint appearing in her eyes, Yui curled in her seat.
“We didn’t want to hurt you, Sho – Yui said hastily – Never again, it will happen never again”.
“I talk with people. They have memories, experiences, something! – The eva ignored her and started to pace - All I have is training, fighting and your tests. I know my purpose, you created me for fight, there’s nothing else I can do. I am a freak, a novelty to all of you. I will die on the frontline. Why do you do this to me? – Shogoki stared down at the hunched human.
“It… it didn’t hurt?” – Ikari asked and immediately regretted those words.
Shogoki glared at her for a long moment, her expression shifting between disgust, anger and finally resignation. “I wish it did – she spat – Now, leave me alone.”
2.
“…you really have a death wish.” – Shogoki stated. Nigoki proudly pushed small, blue can into her hand and flopped back onto the bed.
“Come on, after all those pains I took to smuggle it, you could at least pretend to be somewhat enthusiastic.”
“Just how long Asuka did yell at you last time?
“About an hour. Loudly. – Nigoki shrugged – But. No pain, no gain. We need to celebrate your great victory after all.”
“Why Pepsi?”
“I don’t know. It just works for us, like alcohol for humans. Kyoko said it solved one of the great mysteries of life, as it proved there is a difference between Coca Cola and Pepsi. – she shrugged unsure if that was a joke or not - I tried other drinks, and nothing. Beer and vodka, too, but only got itchy all over. Some allergic reaction or something. Coffee makes me sleepy and I don’t like tea. But this, believe me, this is good.”
Shogoki eyed the can suspiciously. Nigoki’s bright ideas had tendency to backfire in the most unexpected ways. She took a small sip.
“Sweet. – she commented and took another sip – Bubbly.”
Nigoki stared at her expectantly.
“Well?”
“I am supposed to feel what? – Shogoki took a bigger gulp. Nigoki opened her own can and shrugged.
“Relax, most likely. People act funny when they drink, I felt happy, and everything was soooo nice, like there were no problems in the world, love and peace! – she laughed and saluted with her can. Shogoki frowned, her good mood suddenly gone.
“They can act really badly too – she growled and her hand clenched. Nigoki sat up momentarily serious. She knew how different things were for evangelions here. During last months Shogoki lightened up a lot but sometimes she would regress into the sullen, closed persona she presented when they first met. She still couldn’t figure out what set off that reaction. The oddest thing, it looked like.
“Good things, bad things, they happen. Don’t think about them. Come on Sho, let go, just enjoy the moment.- She carefully reached for Shogoki’s clenched fist. The eva glared at her but didn’t make any move when Nigoki’s fingers closed over her own. She already knew that under that crazy exterior was surprisingly insightful and caring person.
“You really mean it – she said after long moment of silence and her fist opened slowly.
“I do. Shogoki! – Nigoki smiled suddenly, even if it was a bit forced, but she had to break this angsty moment right now – we are celebrating! – she bumped her can with Shogoki’s – No grim faces tonight!”
Shogoki just stared at her for a moment then determinedly took a long drink. Well. Maybe she really should just forget about things. Overpower it like she did with her opponents. After all what doesn’t kill…
Nigoki kept telling the silliest stories she could remember and Shogoki provided sarcastic commentary. Much to her own surprise and Nigoki’s delight.
………………………………………..
“Oh come on, you really never…? – Nigoki groaned - Just what did you do in your free time? Slept?”
Shogoki tilted her head, thinking hard.
“I… think I did? – she said. Nigoki just stared at her with an incredulous expression. “I mean we didn’t have a lot of free time. Now is much better, because it’s five of us… There were always some tests or trainings or battles. I don’t remember much of my first years, it was lab – battle – hospital – battle – lab all over again… Zero was the only other eva around, you know how she is now, and before… she was really… unwell. It was worse for her, because she was the first… - When Nigoki still didn’t say anything, startled both by her words and the fact she was talking so openly, Shogoki started to explain. - Ikari doesn’t like to go out too much and he is busy, and they didn’t let me out with anyone else too often, besides it usually ended bad, or ugly, so… I mean we are so different from them, humans, I mean, and outside the fortress is a war zone, they are really…” – she shrugged helplessly, unsure what she really wanted to say. “How it was in Germany?”
Nigoki hesitated, realizing this could be another uncomfortable if not downright painful topic for the other eva. Shogoki waited for her answer genuinely curious.
“Much calmer than here. I saw my first real action in Mexico… I was in USA before I came here, mostly military bases, but I lived in open cities too. It was more… normal than here, I think. Different. Humans were more… varied, you could never be sure if they will be hostile, friendly or indifferent. Things gone funny, things gone bad - Nigoki shrugged - Then they gave me Asuka – she flashed a goofy smile, but became serious almost instantly – They let me move freely, anywhere I wanted, under supervision at first, then on my own, Kyoko said I need experiences to develop properly. For me it means I should take as much from life as I can. I didn’t realize how lucky I was because they let me. I don’t understand why they kept you so… caged.”
Shogoki stiffened a little, clearly disagreeing with this opinion.
”Look, Zero and I, we are the first evas, Zero’s a prototype and… she isn’t too healthy, I am much better, but they didn’t know what to expect, besides they created us, we are compelled to serve them and I am a soldier…”
“STOP explaining them Shogoki. You cannot not be forced to be loyal.”
Small, sad smile crossed Shogoki’s face.
“Actually, we were – She touched the back of her scull – we had implants. In our heads. When they worked I couldn’t disobey any order. It’s not important right now – she said hastily surprised by shock on Nigoki’s face - I fried them some time ago, and they didn’t replace them. I… I thought you knew...”
“Verfluchte… Shit, fuck and damn it! That’s some really fucked up, misplaced fidelity! – Nigoki exploded from her seat – You were some guinea pig for them!”
“That’s what prototypes are for, Nigoki. To be tested. To learn from mistakes – Shogoki closed her eyes, feeling strange calm settling over her. Nigoki’s reaction unexpectedly made everything easier. It was so honest, it meant she cared.– “We hardly knew any different, they didn’t either. Now I understand more, they were scared of us, had no idea how to treat us and the war was much harsher back then. I think they had no time for mollycoddling a mass destruction weapons…”
There was long moment of silence.
“Shogoki – Nigoki stated and put her hands on her hips – you are going to live. From now on I am going to drag you out into the world.”
Shogoki opened her eyes and laughed, actually laughed.
“Do I have anything to say in that matter?”
Nigoki leaned over her and smiled predatory, but her eyes were hard with determination “Only one thing: do you want to?”
………………………………………..
“We've all learned our lessons and now we can move forward. That's the beauty of life.” Shogoki mumbled into her can. She was beyond rational thinking right now. Everything felt blurred in the most wonderful way. The clearest and most important thing was the fact that she was alive, she was with her friend and everything was perfect. Bad things were in the past, and suddenly she wanted to think only about her future. There still will be wars, battles, a lot of pain in front of her, but there were also other things. Good things…
“Great, finally it went to your thick skull. Life’s good. Life’s really, really good – Nigoki stretched luxuriously. She felt ridiculously satisfied. Mission accomplished: uptight eva was corrupted! This was simply unreal, like the greatest victory, hallelujah choirs and all.
“What did you mean when you said humans are worse than you were with implants?” – Nigoki slurred a little already. She drank her first can almost in one go, the second a bit slower. To fast apparently, but why the hell not…
“I mean, they are like preprogrammed machines driven by instinct and instinct alone. It’s a wonder they were able to create civilization and stuff with all this stuff clogging their minds.” – Shogoki was slumped over the table, idly playing with empty cans.
“That’s what culture is for. Laws, rules, taboos. I think they are as much confused by all of this as we are – Nigoki said - It’s sooo complicated – she rolled on her front, mindful of half full can in her hand. “Just look at your Shinji. Or my Asuka.”
“I am not an expert, but I wouldn’t say they are the model examples of their species…” – Shogoki said deadpan. Nigoki howled with laughter.
3.
Nigoki was almost ecstatic when she dragged her to her room, flopped down on the floor and pressed some tiny controller into her palm. At first Shogoki couldn’t understand what was so wonderful in killing animated monsters. They did it on daily basic and that definitely wasn’t fun. Or flying planes. Or driving animated cars, well, crash them mostly, which was vaguely funny. Once she stopped trying to find any sense in such activities, and simply threw all logic out of the proverbial window, only then it started to be enjoyable. Flashy, colorful, loud… Small wonder Nigoki liked it so much, after all she was the eva who regularly did victory dances in the middle of the battlefields and had to be bodily dragged, kicking and screaming, from the flight simulators on more than one occasion. Nigoki loved technology. Loved fights, loved virtual realities, loved loud music and explosions and loved challenge. Right now she was set dead on making her friend a computer game geek. Or at least somewhat familiar with the general idea.
………………………………………..
Shogoki blinked owlishly when the tower she was supposed to defend exploded.
“oops, sorry…”
Nigoki stared without comprehension at the flashing screen and yawned widely “I think we overdosed it a little…” She stiffly rose to her feet and pulled the other eva up. Shogoki wobbled.
“Whoa! I don’t think I’ve ever sat in one place for so long…”
Nigoki did a double take at the clock “No kidding, seven hours, new record…”
“Great – Shogoki yawned, to sleepy to feel impressed. “Can I stay here?” she asked after short deliberation. Her room was at the other side of complex, she felt both too tired and too relaxed to explain guards why she wasn’t in her room at 3 a.m., and there was a lot space here. There were padded chairs, and the carpet on the floor…
“Sure, the bed is big enough – Nigoki waved her hand and headed toward bathroom. “Spare blankets are in the closet, some clothes too. Take whatever you want”.
Shogoki eyed the bed. It was huge, indeed. She would be able to spread herself and roll around, and there would be still some space left. Her own was just a simple, padded plate. Something to crash on after exhausting day and regenerate, and it wasn’t any different than in any other soldier’s room. Shogoki tilted her head in thought. Ikari allowed Zerogoki to have her quirks, encouraged them even, so why German branch should be any different, especially when they treated their eva like they would treat human being? Nigoki liked extravagance. Shogoki stretched trying to work out stiffens from her backs. Who would expect that sitting and doing nothing could be so exhausting. She opened the closet and froze again. Her clothes were standard military, simply adjusted to her size and she owned few ‘presents’ from various people. Nigoki had like hundreds of different things there, some she couldn’t even recognize. Colors, types, factures… Mesmerized, Shogoki pulled purple blanked from the neat pile and held it reverently. Soft, almost fluffy, and it smelled so nicely.
Nigoki stepped out of the bathroom, just in time to see the other eva nuzzle the blanked, with a look of wonder on her face. Somehow that little gesture made her understand more than any previous conversations did. More than any explanation Kyoko could give her. It was… sad. Shogoki snapped out from her reverie. “Can I use this one?” Nigoki simply nodded.
4.
She spent two weeks in the hospital, and when they finally released her she still bore scars. Definitely not fit for active duty. After short briefing with commanders she dragged herself to her room. Nigoki appeared five minutes later.
“Heeey, welcome in the world of living.”
Shogoki carefully sat on the bed and motioned her to come in.
“Good to be back – she smiled a little. Those were weird two weeks. In a good way, despite pain and drug inducted dizziness. Nigoki proved herself as friend. Real, honest friend. Shogoki felt ridiculously happy about that.
“Zero said I should be held under quarantine with biohazard signs stamped all over me, you know?” Nigoki said without preamble, flopped into the armchair, grimaced and rubbed her back. Shogoki could sympathize with her. Under the padding the armchairs were made of steel tubes.
“Zero said that?” – she cocked her head. Zerogoki rarely spoke with anybody, much less made such silly comments. “Why?”
“She said my, as she put it “monumental stupidity” might be contagious. And you are the first case. – Nigoki gave her a serious look - Sho, even I think that what you did was insane...”
“Wow, you agree with Zero?”
“It’s shock” – Nigoki theatrically covered her eyes “Shock, I tell you.”
Shogoki shook her head, chuckled and rubbed her side with grimace. It still hurt.
“So, how’s your… everything?” – Nigoki sobered up immediately.
Shogoki rolled her shoulders.
“Ow, my everything…”
“I thought you were healed?”
“I had half of my ribs broken …”
“Among other things.”
“Among other things, thank you so very much for reminding me, so what do you expect?” – Shogoki stiffly lay down. Nigoki shook her head. This situation called for special treatment.
“You big baby. Come on.” – she sat on the bed and reached for other eva. Shogoki sat up.
“What are you doing?” – She asked. Nigoki rolled her eyes.
“Asuka did this to me, so I know first handedly it helps. A bit of faith here please. ”
“What exactly?”
“Massage, you paranoid idiot. It won’t kill you, no worries. – Nigoki waved her hand – Just take of your shirt and roll over.”
Shogoki stared at her for a long moment but slowly turned around and lay down. And promptly jumped when Nigoki straddled her hips.
“Hey…!”
“Easy! That’s how it’s done!” – Nigoki placatingly patted her shoulders, mindful of still tender scars. Until the skin fully regenerated it was really uncomfortable. She knew from her own experiences how stiff and sore everything could be after such extensive injuries.
“Warn me next time” – Shogoki growled but lay down again, resting her chin on crossed arms. Nigoki chuckled and cracked her knuckles.
“This is not funny, I have mass destruction weapon sitting on my back.”
“Wow, I’m flattered – she pressed her palms to Shogoki’s shoulders and started kneading. The eva beneath her groaned.
“Ow, ow, and ow. Hurts. Not helping.”
“Stop tensing. I won’t write anything stupid all over your back, promise.”
“Ha, ha. That was reassuring...”
“With all those scars I could play tic-tac-toe, though…”
Shogoki smacked her thigh, Nigoki snickered.
She had to admit that after several minutes, when she finally relaxed it started to feel good. Nigoki was silent, completely focused on her task. She obviously knew what to do because all soreness and stiffness disappeared under her hands. For a moment Shogoki’s fists tightened over blanket but she decided she definitely didn’t want to remember… things.
Nigoki smiled with satisfaction when Shogoki went completely limp, for a moment she was worried she wouldn’t be able to repeat what Asuka did, but obviously it was working. For whole two weeks she tried to think about something she could do for her friend. After so much pain, Shogoki deserved to be coddled and spoiled. Something nice, just for her and only for her. This seemed to work perfectly.
Shogoki had no idea how long it took, but when Nigoki stopped she sagged into the mattress, boneless and in terrifyingly good mood. Not only it didn’t hurt anymore, but she was insanely satisfied that she finally was able to overcome memories, and enjoy another’s touch without feeling physically sick and violated.
Nigoki slid of her and lay by her side. Shogoki lazily turned her head toward the other eva.
“Mmm…Wow. I feel great.”
“Told ya.”
“I want another tomorrow…” – Shogoki mumbled without thinking.
Nigoki chuckled with smug satisfaction “Asuka always did it to me after I was injured too.”
Shogoki opened one eye.
“You were?”
“Of course I was. Last time was in Russia, a month before we came here. The transporter we were in drove over the mine. I was the only survivor; they had to cut me out. See that leg? – Nigoki patted her left leg – Brand new from the knee down.”
“You never talk about it...”
“I don’t think about it. Well, you charge on those monsters with your bare hands, I only shoot at them from the distance or drive over them.”
“You are awesome at this.”
“Ohh, do go on. I like when you praise me – Nigoki smiled widely and winked. Shogoki smiled back and closed her eyes again, simply enjoying the moment. Perfect, everything was perfect.
“Hey, girls! How… – the doors opened, Asuka burst into the room and stopped in mid step. She took in the scene: shirtless, limp Shogoki and goofily smiling Nigoki on Shogoki’s narrow bed, staring at her like deer caught in the headlights. Conclusion was obvious.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!!!!” – she screamed, scandalized.
Nigoki jumped over the other eva, Shogoki just groaned and pulled the pillow over her head, well aware what was coming.
“MASSAGE!” – Nigoki yelled back.
“It doesn’t look like one!”
Nigoki frowned. She looked down at Shogoki, who put both hands over the pillow covering her head and started to growl something that suspiciously sounded like curses, then back at her human friend. Realization hit her like nuclear blast.
“HOW DOES IT LOOK LIKE?! – she howled.
“Verfluhte baka, what do you think?!” Asuka blushed. Shogoki growled louder and sat up.
“Show’s over, go kill each other somewhere else, some of us try to heal here.” - She said deadpan, interrupting incoming screaming match.
“Sho, I’m sorry. – Asuka realized what her outburst could mean for the eva. While Nigoki might feel vaguely offended or embarrassed, for Shogoki this could turn completely innocent situation into something else. If it was ‘innocent situation’, that is. Nigoki for once couldn’t find words to express her indignation and settled for growling.
“Everything’s fine – Shogoki patted her thigh placatingly. – Thank you. It was great.” – she suddenly added with an unpracticed wink and definitely evil smirk. Asuka felt her jaw drop and her blush reached her neck, Shogoki’s half mocking words confirmed she understood what caused girl’s reaction. And if that wasn’t innuendo... At least she was able to find it humorous not distressing. Nigoki stared at the eva with disbelieving wonder then howled with laughter.
Note: The situation WAS innocent like newborn infants, Asuka, like every teenager has overactive imagination, that’s all. Bothe evas know, because there is INTERNET. And TV. And night clubs. And soldiers. Do not forget about soldiers…
Aurelian wrote:Shinchan-
