mk.02 (video)

[paraclete]

Who: Kaworu Nagisa, and anyone else.
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: In the laundry facilities of the Heron.
When: The evening of 2/13.

[When Kaworu's video feed flips on, it looks like it's got a slight vibration to it. If you look closely, you might be able to tell why: he's sitting on top of a washing machine. He looks pretty content with things right now; the washer must be a comfortable perch, and he a pleasant bird, or a kid on a particularly shitty carousel. He's wearing one of the provided utility jumpers, in beige. The color frankly looks terrible with his natural palette, but he's content with that, too.]

Hi. [With that alongside his smile, he's off to a great start!] I initially arrived on the Marsiva a few weeks ago. It was an unexpected thing, but I've been thinking it must have been for the best. But, while I've been here with this fleet, I've also been able to talk to some of you. It's nice. Now, though, I have some questions of my own. I hope you'll answer, and we can get to know each other. [God, but he's earnest, huh? He doesn't really seem like the type of person to feel shame or social anxiety. Or, really, any sort of anxiety at all. That's not exactly true, but his composure is the stuff of legends.]

So, I'd heard that Valentine's Day is almost upon us. I'd explain for those who are still unaware, but I'm really one of the uninitiated myself. The holiday was an observable part of several cultures in the world I came from, but I hadn't had any experience with it personally. What I do know about it is that it's a day intended to celebrate love. [If he was pleased before, he's outright glad right now, perking up even further.] I really like that. That's mostly what I wanted to ask about: I'd be happy if someone could tell me more about the day and what all it entails. Love, I think, is one of the most wonderful things to be celebrated, and from what I understand, an individual is also meant to revel in the person they love on this day. I want to know what's expected of me for the person who is closest to my heart.

But I understand that there are those of you who don't celebrate the holiday, or who have never even encountered it. In that case, I'd like to know about your customs, as well. I want to learn about other days dedicated to the pursuit of love, and the actions a person may take in order to ensure that their lover knows they are loved. What's your favorite way to convey your love? What's your favorite way to relish in the feeling? Will you tell me?

[He's got the face of a teenager, so maybe he's just hormone-addled or something like that, but with his tepid voice and the calm of his eyes, it could be... that he's really... really serious about all this. Maybe a little too serious. Finally, he says,] Thanks for your time. [He means that just as much.]


[And, Heron, he's playing hooky from the Vanquish again. If you find him sitting atop the little washing machine, please don't be too angry at him for hogging it; he's doing laundry for two. At any rate, he's still treating the Heron like it's his home away from home. You've probably seen him around a little too much. He doesn't crowd the Heron's bunks, at least — he can never be found sleeping. He's just ever-present.]

Comments

[paraclete]

[This is definitely the kind of abuse he's willing to sit and take. It's warranted, he feels, and it's all true anyway. There's no point in putting up a fight against something that's so real.]

I know. It was my own shortcoming.

That's why I want to make things better for him. Shikinami-san, I'm not trying to oppose his growth or his friendship with you. I want him to do whatever he needs to in order to be well. If you project your fears onto me, of course it will seem as though I embody them. But I really don't.

[interstices]

[Asuka's quiet for a brief period, staring at the wrecked remains of the chair. She'll have to dispose of it somehow, later, when she's feeling a little closer to calm.

How am I projecting anything? [Attempting, for however long, to talk like something resembling an adult is nearly impossible. She's so much more accustomed to snaps and barks.] You-- you were a bad influence on him. Katsuragi told him not to pilot Eva anymore, and you got him to. You nearly demolished what's left of the planet. And then after that, he lost it. How am I supposed to think you're not screwing everything up here?

[paraclete]

Here, there's no sign of my greatest adversary. He's not in this place. Therefore, I think that I can create plans on my own, and learn more techniques, and... [For a moment he sounds excited— but after realizing himself, he stops, and recedes.]

I didn't think I was a bad influence. What he wanted most was to fix the world, so that was what I said we'd do. And I also didn't think... [Kaworu hesitates here, as though he's not sure how to navigate this part of the conversation. He's a boat in Antarctic ruins. One wrong angle, and his hull is done for.] ...I didn't think... that my death would have that effect on him.

[interstices]

Greatest adversary, my ass. You were working for Gendo. [That's one point at least that Nagisa can't argue with, not with any hope of success. Asuka takes a breath.]

What kind of effect did you think it would have? Did you really think he was going to be fine?

[paraclete]

We worked with each other. That doesn't mean we weren't also working against each other.

[But it doesn't seem like Kaworu's got much fight in him, right now. He's pretty muted, especially when he says,] I told him we would meet again. [And it was just him, anyway. Shouldn't have been an important loss.] I thought...

[interstices]

[Asuka sounds exasperated. Whatever. He's just going to keep defending the indefensible for however long it takes to soothe his ego. She taps her fingers impatiently against the counter before rattling out a response.]

Meeting again in the afterlife won't make anyone feel better.

[paraclete]

[Glumly, but still vague as hell,] I was a little more determined than that.