CONGRATULATIONS SHINJI

[failtactical]

[s-s-surprise candle call?!]

Comments

[oedipuswreck]

Maybe it is, for most people. But Kaworu . . . says he remembers a few different . . . cycles. Not just in Aather. Something like, he's . . . reborn, again and again. I don't really understand it, but—

[he takes a deep breath]

But anyway—Ayanami and I . . . have a different version of events. Than . . . the one Kaworu is "from." Though, he remembered the others, too, eventually. And—I think, different from yours?

[failtactical]

"Cycles"? Wouldn't that imply they aren't different universes, then?

[shakes her head]

Sorry, go on.

[oedipuswreck]

[pauses, then just shakes his head]

I don't know. Like I said . . . I only know what Kaworu's told me, and that's sometimes . . . confusing, at best.

[failtactical]

... What sort of things have you remembered, so far?

[oedipuswreck]

[he'd been brightening a little throughout the conversation, probably more lively than she can remember seeing him—but his eyes go utterly blank as soon as she says that]

. . . I'm not sure where to start?

[failtactical]

... Wherever you think it's easiest. Anywhere is fine, we can work from there.

[oedipuswreck]

. . .

Misato-san, why are you still in Aather?

[failtactical]

[THAT'S NOT THE EASIEST PLACE TO START AT ALL, SHINJI-KUN]



... Mm... how to put this? There isn't much left for me to do back home.

[oedipuswreck]

. . . why?

[failtactical]

That's... just how it is. I made sure to leave things in far more capable hands, sssoooo it's fine, really.

[oedipuswreck]

You've always been a terrible liar. Are you relying on me still lacking the confidence to press you on it?

[failtactical]

I.

Lost my job.

[oedipuswreck]

You lost your job . . . protecting humanity . . .

[failtactical]

I...

That's...



Well...

[oedipuswreck]

. . . was it my fault?

[failtactical]

—NO! No, that's not what happened at all! I'm sorry! Please stop!

[oedipuswreck]

—okay?!

[failtactical]

[siiiiighs]

It's not... something I want to talk about. Not when it's been so long since the last time we talked.

[oedipuswreck]

. . .

I'm sorry. I don't . . . want to bring up negative memories for you, Misato-san. I just—

[failtactical]

[shakes her head]

I've already come to terms with it... It's you I'm worried about.

[oedipuswreck]

That's why I was asking if it's my fault.

[failtactical]

It's not your fault. It's... nobody's fault, really.

[she sounds like she wants to add something else, but ends up saying nothing instead]

[oedipuswreck]

. . .

Misato-san . . .

Would it have been better if I never . . . if you didn't speak with me again . . .?

1/2

[failtactical]

[she seems really taken aback at first, but when she speaks her tone is serious and unwavering]

... No. No, I—I don't understand where you'd get an idea like that, but no.

[failtactical]

If there's anything I regret about you it's... not having been able to empathize with you more. [a beat] I kept projecting all of my issues and desires onto you without ever giving you much of a choice.

So I'm glad that we're speaking again. I wanted to see you again, Shinji-kun.