2022-04-28: Transferred Trouble

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<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        School days are rarely meant to be a source of much excitement. Barring a sudden attack from a kaiju or angel, it's meant to be a highly regimented and delineated section of time during the day where students are taught in a range of subjects from mathematics to physical education. However there is the rare occasion for something new and exciting to land itself on the schedule... and one of those days are when new students are transferring in.

        During homeroom, one such transfer student stood silently in front of a second year high school class. Though rather average in height, her intensity, beauty, and exotic golden gaze make her appear larger than life. She was invited up to the board to introduce herself... but instead merely stares back at all the eyes that are upon her. In truth she isn't sure how to introduce herself: She was informed to treat this assignment as a undercover insertion as a civilian. However she has felt so many eyes watching her from the moment she began walking to school, heard so many voices whispering around her. Even now toward the back of the room a couple of young men whisper to one another. Her gaze snaps toward them and they immediately stop.

        "Nagisa-san, are you ok--" the homeroom teacher begins, when those same eyes turn to regard her coolly and the words catch in the teacher's throat. Ah yes... Dr. Cuervo handled the arrangements, it makes sense they would use the names he had given them. She gives an appreciative nod to the teacher before turning back to the class and making an introduction: "My name is Ouka Nagisa, it is a pleasure to meet all of you." Then she made a journey back to her seat under a curtain of silence, still aware of every eye upon her. Hopefully she didn't appear too hesitant or weak in front of them...

        ... she need not have worried... from everyone else's perspective:

        "Nagisa-san, are you ok--" the new girl's eyes turn to the homeroom teacher in reproach, immediately silencing her. It was clear to those in the class room that this new girl, perhaps some sort of royalty? Was surveying her new subjects to determine their worth. The teacher's unwelcome interruption was immediately regarded coldly, and a curt nod signals the satisfaction that her reprimand was received. Turning back to the class she speaks in a tone mature and demanding of respect: "My name is Ouka Nagisa, it is a pleasure to meet all of you." With that she glides back to her seat. Her beauty and grace demands awe and attention. Ouka, such a fitting name for a princess!!!

        ... and things don't get much better from there.

        Throughout the day Ouka becomes more and more certain her cover is blown. This is her first experience in a school, after all, and her experience in The School has taught her that it is a place was students are taught how to fight in a world dictated by war. She wasn't sure this school was the same until she found her way to the bathrooms. As she was about to leave her eyes found a strange receptacle on the wall. Pulling a plastic lever, a mysterious cylindrical device lands in the receptacle's tray. The outside is plastic, but the interior is a dense fabric material. Pushing on the plastic plunger reveals the fabric is in the shape of...

        Ouka clutches the device tightly in her hand and tucks it in her top before moving back out into the hallway. Once again eyes and whispers follow her. This time she isn't worried about them, her suspicions are confirmed and she has to warn the person who transferred in with her: She has to warn Seolla.

        ... the plan was made for the two of them to rendevous around lunch time.

        The cafeteria is small. Unlike most Western schools it is expected for students to be served and eat in classrooms, after all. Still there is a space for those who wish to eat elsewhere, or who need to pick up their lunch due to special dietary restrictions. Scanning her student badge, Ouka waits while a cafeteria worker reaches behind the counter and presents to her a bento box - 'A-1' being embossed on the top. She gives the worker a polite bow before walking quietly towards an empty table. Her fingernails delicately feeling along the underside of the lid, ensuring The School's seal is still in place. No. It does not seem like this one has been tampered with.

        Taking her seat, Ouka will sit and wait quietly. Most of the students who came to follow and watch her lack the bravery to approach, and the few that do are chased off by that intense, imperious gaze of hers. For now, at least, she sits alone while waiting for her fellow School student to arrive. 

<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.


Asuka's not had the greatest of days. It started with a Kanji quiz in her Japanese class coming back with the grade of a solid 77. While there are classmates who would trade grades with her in an instant, it's unacceptable to her. Crumping it into a ball, she'd tossed it in a receptacle bin in the girl's bathroom.

It continued on with an upperclassman between classes deciding to try his luck with a face to face love confession. They have a betting pool going to see who can finally land a date with her.

To Asuka's credit, she didn't break his nose, just bloodied it.

It still got her sent to the faculty office. A call got sent out to Misato as she waited in a chair with her arms crossed. Somehow it got smoothed over that she'd pull classroom cleaning duty for a week, by herself - along with some extra chores on the school grounds rather than a suspension.

It's now lunch time.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

That's what happened after Asuka pivots out of the cafeteria line so hard there's a snap of skirts as she saw Ouka leaving the line with her Bento. Immediately she storms right up to Ouka's table and slams both her palms down on the surface as she leans forward towards Ouka's space.

"You think I don't remember you?! What's G-Hound's game sending you here to spy on us?"

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        In stark contrast to Ouka's 'hime-sama cannot quite grasp mortal affairs' way of Not Dealing With This So Elegantly, Seolla's having more of a 'oh god oh fuck oh hell oh no' sort of time adapting.

        She's tense and on edge. Countless unfamiliar faces passing in and out of view. None of them focus quite right. All of them say things - few of those words are those she grasps how to connect. She's just...not equipped to have so many eyes on her, and tries to stay close to Ouka in passing, but her fists are constantly balled up, she's leering defensively at everyone.

        The pinnacle of this is during the introductions to the rest of her class, brought upon by an oh so blunt, "...Just call me Seolla. ...If any of you hurt Ouka-senpai, I'm sending you to the hospital." The chuckling at how hard Seolla's trying only further ratchets up the tension, eyes going wide, and she spends the rest of her first class with her head utterly consumed by static.

What's wrong with all of them? How can they take it so easy?

It's enough to make me hate (envy) all of them.

        By the time lunch break rolls around, Seolla's nerves are totally fried, and she plans on homing onto Ouka like a strategic missile - only to see a strange face arguing with her. About five people are forcefully shoved aside as Seolla breaks into a full-bore hurtle at Asuka, with the kind of uncanny strength and speed that'd certainly spark countless rumors.

        "Excuse me?! Who the hell do you think you are, bothering Ou-"

        ...She recognizes the face, and an even more fervent look of disgust floods her features, teeth clenched, stifling a gag. "...Aaah...I have to deal...with you here, of all people...?!" 

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

"They have got to be part Zentraedi." Kensuke Aida says, aiming his camera as close to the two new transfers as he dares. As a lowly junior high student he has the advantage of generally being ignored by the upper wing of the school, but it's still dangerous. Perhaps these women have advanced combat training, Kensuke thinks, not out of any serious ability to detect this sort of thing but because this is how Kensuke Aida copes with Tokyo-03.

"Racist." Toji Suzuahara says, flicking an edamame husk at his best friend's head. This is how he copes with Tokyo-03. "Not every big girl's an alien, Aida. Assamatter of fact, there's some pretty interesting research in nutrition in this era and how its effecting how the new generation. I'm not-Shinji don't get huffy I'm not talking about any of that conspiracy theory coordinator custom grown person crap, I'm not Aida. We all just eat way more meat than our ancestors."

"Rude." Kensuke steals some of Toji's shrimp chips, leaning upside down from his desk to get a better shot at the growing commotion. "Check it out, Code Red."

Both Toji and Shinji Ikari, who was reading the newspaper and pretending to be more mature than his friends, look up at this new street theater. Shinji frowns a little, and ruffles the economics section as though it were more interesting than a bloody knuckled Asuka starting a fight with the new girl.

Kensuke is leaning forward as if he were filming the birth of Christ. "G-Hound? Could that be true! Devil's AEU mobilekorps, right?"

"She's NERV." Shinji says, shrugging. "Doesn't talk about her past, I don't ask."

Toji rests a giant hand on Kensuke's head. "Am I th'only one who dunno what gdog is?"

"It's an elite cross-bloc combat organization!" Kensuke enthuses, "Oh they're so COOL! Kind of sketchy, they're like if Londo Bell had funding and a sexy ascetic. The Federation's generally been afraid of any color but beige since the Titans got all Zeon near the end, but the OZ colors really pop! Not as good as the old blue and pinks in my opinion..."

"So you're saying she might be able to take the Red Devil?" Toji asks, not sure how he feels about that and not sure how he feels about that ambiguity. Sure no one deserves to be taken down a peg more than Asuka Langley but she's THEIR menace.

"Maybe they're friends." Kensuke guesses, "That's about how I'd judge Langley's friends to react to her."

"It's none of our business." Shinji says, but when the second new student starts reacting poorly Shinji folds his newspaper up, a slight frown on his otherwise impassive features. 

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.
  1. EARLIER TODAY:


"Ei~n Da~wel"

What's that sound? That sound from beyond the dark.

"Eis~"

That voice again... he recognizes that voice! He's heard it multiple times now in his dreams...

"Eisen D~~~l"

Flickering at the edge of his conciousness. A memory... a...

SNAP! A pain hits his forehead, and the self-proclaimed Mad Scientist flails as his eyemask lifts and light suddenly filters in. Gravity grabs at him, and he feels himself falling. Amidst that moment of light, his gaze turns, catching someone new approaching the schoolbuilding. Green hair picked up by the wind... someone unknown. Then...

Scuffle. The youth falls with his head to the wood at the back of the class and grimaces. A bit of white on his forehead. A chalk next to him.

"Eisen Daiwel! Pay attention in my class!"

  1. NOW:


Being at this school is perhaps the only time one might see the youth in anything resembling 'reasonable clothing'. The school system has firmly ensured that none of his usual gear is carried here. No matter how much he's attempted to convince people that this whole schooling deal is just a waste of time.

Still, that button up shirt is open, so that the black shirt beneath is visible along with the black pants. He loathes having to wear something as bland as white, and his expression is a bit sour at his situation as he steps into the cafeteria. Hands in his pockets, walking a bit slovenly. Not like he's some delinquent, but his mood seemingly is openly readable. The black sleepmask that sits within that mess of his hair, as well as his rediculous height compared to most of his classmates, just solidifies him as not fitting in.

The sound of Asuka yelling at someone about G-Hound draws attention from the cafeteria, and himself as well.

"Oho, the Loud Phoenix, is making a big scene?" The youth asks as he gets closer, raising his posture and rubbing behind his neck and into the mass of his hair while taking note of who Asuka is actually yelling at. Catching sight of Ouka first - recognizing her from when she was moving to attend - and then Seolla; another he doesn't recognize.

"Don't go scaring off people who collectively have better aesthetics than 90% of the people in this school. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It is, at least, a good time of year to transfer in. April is the start of the Japanese school year, after all, so it's a clean time to start life at a new school, compared to, say, those who transfer in during the short third sememster running from January to March. Of course, some (most (all?)) of Tokyo-3 Municipal's recent transfers don't even *need* to attend school anymore, but the new year is a fresh start for everyone socially, too. It's the proper season for things. The cherry blossoms are scattered about, after all--though by now, they've all fallen.
        
        Take Kaworu, for example. He transferred into Tokyo-3 Municipal Middle School a few months ago--and then into Tsutsujidai High School earlier this month--while also still attending Tokyo-3 Municipal. He absolutely doesn't need the education, after all. Popping between two different school for social reasons won't especially affect his grades.
        
        Today, he's at T3M, now a third-year along with his classmates, which conveniently include the other Evangelion pilots also attending school. The class laptops are convenient; it means he can get administrator work done too, retrieved and sent over lines he encrypted himself. Lunchtime is as always a fascinating time; he's established himself as as a) mysterious and handsome b) easygoing and kind c) an excellent listener, which has made him popular with many of the girls. Consequently, he hears quickly about the two transfer students to the high school section. Many girls ask him if he's related to the one, even. So after a time, he excuses himself to go see for himself.
        
        What he sees there is... well, wholly unsurprising. A loud disagreement? In the middle of the cafeteria, where everyone can hear? And Asuka's at the heart of it? Kaworu can only smile ruefully at how unsurprising it is.
        
        He's not the only one whose attention has been drawn there, too. Shinji and his crew, Kensuke and Tohji, are watching too. Kaworu's gaze slides over to Shinji, and for a moment, he watches him, expression bittersweetly fond. 'It's none of our business.' Yes, that about sums it up, doesn't it?
        
        Then he settles in near the door and leans on the wall, hands tucked in his pockets per usual (but now with the glint of metal band around his left wrist), to watch events unfold between Ouka, Seolla, and Asuka--and perhaps Eisen, as he seems to be getting into it too now--for the time being. 

<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        Whatever Ouka had expected from the building tension, with the whispering behind her back, with the faces quickly turning away wherever she looked... what she didn't expect was an angry auburn haired Middle Schooler slamming her table with enough force it rattles her bento box.

        Not that Ouka herself looks particularly rattled.

        

        "Guten tag, Hauptmann Langley." The first Boosted Child responds in a perfectly fluent Berliner accent. "<I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to meet you here.>" She makes no attempt to move from her seat, merely reaching up to slide her embossed bento box to one side, "<A school such as this... it would make sense to meet someone as well credentialed as you, especially at your young age. Though I didn't expect you to be less strategic than your compatriots. A glory hound, perhaps?>"

        Her eyes do not move when she recognizes Seolla's voice and approaching figure out of the corner of her eye. A signal that she recognizes the girl in front of her as a potential threat. She gives Seolla a series of subtle hand gestures, signaling that everything is OK, but they will need to talk as soon as they have a moment.

        As of right now, Asuka is preventing that moment.

        'Oho, the Loud Phoenix, is making a big scene? Don't go scaring off people who collectives have better aesthetics than 90% of the people in this school.' Ouka turns to regard the individual - taller, and by appearances more physically mature than the other students or even Ouka herself.

        "I'm sorry sensei." The transfer student says, making a mistake, "Langley-san was just ... welcoming my sister and I to the school in a style more typical of Western schools..." she lies, while rising to offer him a polite and graceful bow. "We'll do our best not to cause any more disruptions." When she rises, her eyes open again... shooting a quizzical glance toward Asuka. After all... surely she wouldn't continue her affronts under a watchful eye of a member of staff... right?

        ... well if Ouka wasn't making a significant tactical blunder - never judge books by their cover. 

<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.


It's not like Asuka doesn't realize Shinji and his friends are in the room. It's just that the moment she spied Ouka she can't be bothered to listen to the distant murmurings of the rumor mill, Asuka seems wholly focused on the girl in question.

"Mein Sohn, bist du dumm? <What makes you think I have compatriots? And why are you acting like NERV is conducting some op at a school or somet--"

Seolla though interrupts that, by yelling from afar.

"You!"

As Asuka whirls upon Seolla, peeling her palms off the table as she faces down Ouka's 'little sis'. "Pretty optimistic of you... thinking you'll be dealing with me at all." As her fists clench at her sides, "Your cover is obviously blo-" As she snaps at Eisen with a quick glance over her shoulder, "-Stay out of this Chuutwo!"

Ouka though addresses Eisen as sensei. Which causes one of Asuka's eyebrows to shoot right up, as she glances to Eisen.

"Take too many hits to the head during training? You really must be an idiot if you think he's a teacher."

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

It's a strange paradox. To feel both strange, and to be used to, being called Sensei. For a moment, he feels like he's back in one of those lecture halls back at the University. For a moment, he feels like he's back there, away from the fight. Away from Tokyo. Before it all came together. His posture lifts properly and he tugs the sleepmask from the top of his head and stuffs it into his pocket almost by instinct.

Yet here, Ouka is his Senpai, isn't she? Not to mention, there is no way that Asuka will stand by, letting this misunderstanding stand as it is. So as he lifts that posture, his gaze already begins to shift towards Asuka to see what she will say. All while he's starting to realize that Ouka is treating him like one of those who aren't 'awake' to the world around them.

His mouth opens, looking to say something. Hmm, her reaction speed on that one is right on point. If he had glasses, he'd no doubt be touching them at the bridge to make them gleam. But he doesn't.

Instead, he puts his left hand at his hip, and flicks a bit of his hair with his right hand - toying with that green strand. "You must have missed some of your mission documentation. Did you not do the full reading that you did not recognize one of the most important targets at this location? Your intelligence gathering must truly be lacking." Eisen points out to Ouka with a firmness to his voice.

Picking up on what Asuka is saying, combining it with Ouka's own words, he spins his own narrative within moments. He then runs his hand through his hair and steps to Asuka's side as if he were somehow on her team and adds; "You're so loud, everyone is already involved. If you don't want people involved, learn some restraint."

The youth then touches his chest and remarks; "Eisen Daiwel. Mad Scientist, and classmate to the hothead over here." He points sideways at Asuka.

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        It'd be so easy to fly off the handle for Seolla - she's adapting rather terribly to this environment. One where objectives are stifling yet vague - enormous yet petty. Overcoming them doesn't feel like anything at all, and yet they weigh so deeply.

        She's adapted better to ruthless supersoldier training than to ordinary life...

        But Ouka's voice disarms her. It's meant to. She vents out her breath in a deep, long sigh...and seats herself next to Ouka. Still protective. Maybe even clingy. Face resting in both hands. Chest settled upon the table, lunch-box slowly cracked open. She pokes and picks at the food, her once-aggressive staring at Asuka turned...a bit tired and distant.

        "...Ouka says it's okay...so...fine." The static's still heavy in her head. "...What's your name, anyway? Pretty sure I didn't get it, back at that...event. Was...focused on other things." Eisen gets himself involved - addressing yourself as a mad scientist? How...bizarre. "...Why are you a mad scientist already? Isn't that a job for adults? ...I'm Seolla. Seolla Schweizer. Don't think I'm in any of your classes. Year younger than Ouka here, so I'm...also your senpai?"

        Seolla habitually scans the room. The gossiping trio of Shinji, Kensuke, and Toji, whose gawking and gazing she picks up on. (She hears everything in the room. It's awful and overstimulating.) The faint glint of Kaworu's wristband. It's one of many things that can't help but divert her attention. Past a certain point, she tumbles over, face-first against the table, burying herself in her arms. "Uggghhhhhh...I'm really...not having the best day here...! I need rescuing..."

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.


Rei Ayanami has had a day like most other days. Very slightly under twenty-four hours in length, the sun has shone down on Tokyo-3 in different ways. She has returned to class, and was even in attendance today, although a ribbed neck-supporting cushion is still anointing her neck.

Rei Ayanami typically wanders off during lunch. Presumably, she eats alone.

Typically.

But today isn't a typical day, is it?! Not every day do you get new exciting classmates. Rei has also come in with her own lunchbox, today, it would seem. She walks into the cafeteria space carrying it with her in one hand - sky-blue plastic. It matches her hair, or at least is close enough for Federation work.

Rei glances towards the new arrivals, pausing a little to shuffle herself, but after a second or two of a good look, she begins circulating in an effort to locate a space isolated from others. Unfortunately, it does not come quickly...

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

"Hey Kaworu." Shinji says, clearly in A Mood today and pretending not to watch the drama. Eisen's involvement doesn't help; he's tried to get along with the big man but something about the guy is just sandpaper on Shinji's skin.

"Nagisa." Toji chimes in, never quite sure how to take the eccentric spacenoid. He's frowning seriously as the incident is turning into real ass drama, worried that Horaki's going to have to get involved. Compassion duels with an urge for rare entertainment in their dull little world.

"I wonder how they all know each other." Kensuke says, giving Kaworu a little wave. Ayanami gets tracked by camera for a second before Shinji kicks Kensuke under the table and the news of the day is again on record.

Shinji continues to be quiet; he watches Ayanami's neck cushion with an expression of guilt and pain that he quickly swallows for fear of attention being dragged towards it. Then he tries to make eye contact with Asuka to see if she needs an escape from the older girls.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu smiles over at Shinji once greeted, as well as Toji and Kensuke. "Hey Shinji--Suzuhara, Aida," he greets the three in turn. He returns his attention to the fourway drama. "He's having fun in his own way, isn't he?" he observes of Eisen. "I don't think it will do much to quell the tension, though."
        
        Indeed, Asuka and Seolla both continue to be especially prickly as Eisen Eisens at Ouka. When Seolla's gaze goes around the cafeteria, he gives her a slight nod of greeting at least, though her gaze seems rather lower than eye level. His own gaze turns to the side just before Rei Ayanami walks in.
        
        "Hey there, First," he greets her. "Are you here for something special? Because if you're looking for a quiet dining experience, I'm afraid the cafeteria will be louder than usual today."
        
        The presence of Asuka alone probably indicates that all on its own, but given the sort of social showdown currently going on between Ouka, Seolla, Asuka, and Eisen... it's not a bad idea to give fair warning.

<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        Today has been a day for misunderstandings it seems.

        'Stay out of this Chuutwo!' the Loud Phoenix demands of the tall student, causing Ouka's own eyes to shoot open in shock. Admittedly her attention has been so focused on keeping Asuka's every move in check just in case she decides to draw a knife, a gun, or something similar. Honestly when it comes to this girl, based on her behavior, she wouldn't be that surprised if Asuka pulled out a full bandolier of grenades from under her skirt. So for the first time she glances toward Eisen - and quickly takes in his dissheveled appearance and the parts of the (admittedly vaguely defined) male school uniform he is wearing.

        To be fair this isn't a situation that the First Boosted Child was trained to handle. Her social training was with dealing with the world of adults - not teenagers. Where she was to be presented as a product - not a person. She feels the eyes upon her from everywhere in the room. From Shinji and his cohort, whispering about how she and Seolla must be half-Zentreadi. From Kaworu... casually observing while leaning against the wall. The whispers, the eyes from those who followed her from her class: The Princess... is also in the military? G-Hound?! What would they be doing here? Is this a terrorist plot?! To someone as hyperware as Ouka it's almost overwhelming.

        All she knows is that Asuka is threatening her... and more important, threatening Seolla. And this will not be allowed to continue.

        "My mistake." Ouka Nagisa bows her head in way of a faint apology, "My name is Ouka Nagsia, 2nd Year High School." She allows Seolla to introduce herself, and make the comment about Eisen's own introduction she thought about but did not say. "However it appears you are mistaken as well. We were enrolled here and only given instructions to attend." With that she draws out again the student ID badge she scanned earlier. It looks just the same as anyone else's on cursory examination... and on a more stringent one as well.

        Ouka's eyes then catch the figure of Rei Ayanami, adorned with a neck cushion. Such adornments are familiar with her as well... in another School. Her eyes then slide back to Asuka and Eisen with a scowl. Seolla's collapse next to her haven't helped matters either.

        Resting her arm atop Seolla's shoulder, she gives the younger girl a reassuring squeeze. "Now if you're done, I'd like a private moment to comfort my sister." Her golden eyes narrow into an imperious glare, her mature tone of voice sounding as much a ruler's as it ever has: "I'm sure neither one of us want to trouble the administrators."

<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.


"Don't patronize me you flunkey."

Eisen perhaps does have a point even if she'd never admit it. It is a contradiction that if Asuka really doesn't want people involved in her life then she should really learn to be quiet. And yet she's not the type to just let her emotions simmer beneath the surface. She's the type to lift the lid and let them boil over.

She does snap back to attention though as Seolla indicates Ouka says it's okay, since she's sure she didn't catch that. Hand signals? "Langley. Asuka Shikinami Langley." She replies brusquely to Seolla before thumbing Eisen's way and immediately acting the hypocrite by patronizing him.

"He's just playing pretend again. Ignore his 'credentials'." Ouka however clarifies that the two are enrolled, "Like hell you are! You expect me to believe it's just some coincidence that G-Hound enrolled you here?" Before she shoots a dark look at Seolla as she says 'I'm... also your senpai?' "If you're angling for me to call you senpai then it'll only be in your dreams - Stunt Pilot."

Shinji though gives her a look, and Asuka just stares back like she's feeling anything but threatened right now. She then stares at Ouka as if she sprouted another head at the idea of taking time to 'comfort her sister'. "What kind of spies are you that you came all the way here just to hug it out?" As she looks annoyed, before shooting a look over towards Kaworu, "Hey Fifth String. You just gonna watch this with that stupid look on your face or are you gonna call this in?"


<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

"I suppose according to this place's standards, you would be my Senpai." Eisen mumbles, seemingly not fully in agreement with this as he firmly puts his other hand at his hip as well to show his disappointment with this fact. "And I am a Mad Scientist because such is my lot in life of course." A description which lends absolutely nothing to his credibility.

Not that he can really go talking about his projects here.

If he's noticed the others' gazes, he's not let it be known so far. But Eisen does tend to gravitate more towards the loud voices amongst NERV than the quiet ones so far.

Ouka proceeds to explain that there is a miscommunication occurring. Is Asuka incorrect about something? Seeing ghosts where there are none? He glances aside to the redhead. It's not like Asuka to be that incorrect. He trusts she knows what she's doing, even if she's trying to tell them to ignore his credentials. There's a difference between 'being wrong' and 'just refusing to acknowledge people'. Asuka is generally only in the latter camp.

The scowl sent his way just has him dig in his heels though, in a similar way that Asuka does. "Don't go expecting peace and quiet in a cafeteria." He half-chides, before offering something more useful; "The Roof is better known for a quiet space. And some of the introverts tend to sneak away in some of the club rooms." He then motions over to Asuka. "As long as you avoid something sporty, you probably won't run into the loudest ones." 

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Even a social recluse like Shinji can feel the crowd turning on Asuka as Seolla seems overwhelmed by the girl's vicious accusations. 'Stunt Pilot', the nickname's a giveaway. They met while piloting, which seems obvious but you never know. Either way, Shinji just sort of quirks a frown as Asuka brings the attention of the room directly on their table.

"Man this ruins my shot." Kensuke says, "They're probably just decoy spies anyway."

"Kensuke, friend, shut up." Toji grins broadly and nervously, grabbing the camera out of Kensuke's hands before someone throws something.

"Does this really need to be a fight?" Shinji asks, mildly, "Even if they are pilots, all of that espionage stuff is above our pay grade, isn't it? Section Two handles that, and they're not here."

<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        To be fair... Ouka Nagisa has known a few mad scientists in her life. They were quite a bit older than even Eisen appears to be though. Nor did they bother to call themselves mad scientists or even evil genius out loud. That seems a bit out of character from her perspective - and gives credence to Asuka's view that he is just playing pretend.

        That said there isn't much else coming out of Asuka that she agrees with ... or appreciates. Seolla's distress is gnawing at Ouka's raw nerves like salt in an open wound, and despite the first Boosted Child's attempts to peacefully explain or otherwise mollify the fiery 2nd Child have seemingly had no effect. That along with all the whispering, all the eyes watching her, and it's little wonder that the first Boosted Child is being pushed until her back is up against the wall. But she endures...

        ... she endures until Asuka mockingly calls Seolla a 'Stunt Pilot'.

        It all happened in an instant. One second Ouka was attempting to console poor Seolla, the next she was moving with the fluidity and rapidity of a viper. One hand lashing out, fingers splayed and palm bared. Remineralized bone, hyper-vascularized muscle, and artificially fabricated sinew working in concert from shoulder to beautifully manicured nails to deliver a single stinging reproach to the side of the Loud Phoenix's face.

        It was a slap. An ear ringing, head-turning slap. The kind of slap that would cause you to bite the shit out of your tongue if you got it at just the right time. The sort of slap that might make you think for a second your jaw has been dislocated...

        ... but it hasn't, because the person delivering said assault had restraint even in the midst of her uncontrolled outburst. Tears can be seen at the corners of her eyes as she speaking clearly, "Her name is Seolla." She pauses to let that sink in. She then stands up tall and casts her imperious gaze across the entire cafeteria: At Asuka of course, but also Eisen. At all the students at the various tables no doubt staring, and those watching from the windows and through the doorways. At Kaworu. At Shinji, Kensuke, and Toji. Yes, even at the Ayanami in a neck brace. The nonverbal message is clear:

        Do Not Hurt Seolla.

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.


"Administrator," Rei replies to Kaworu. She says, pausing in her search for isolated seating, "I am here to eat my lunch."

She could eat it anywhere! Why here? Maybe she wants some of that good free miso soup to go with it. Maybe she, too, is curious about the new people. It is enigmatic. She does frown, faintly but discernibly (at least at short range) at the news of noise.

This brings her to look towards the epicenter of the disturbance and its pericenter, Asuka. The other people, the new people, are looked upon now with a different set of eyes. Ones of thought. Understanding, perhaps, or at least a desire to maneuver around people.

Gray hair. Distressed. A foreign appearance. What is hurting her?
Black hair. Older than I appear. Golden eyes are a monster's sign. A protecting sister.
Red hair. Annoying. G-hound? G-Hound. A thing I don't know.

Her attention turns momentarily, even as she mentally notes what Eisen has said in regards to possible other places where she can either sit and eat alone, or simply sit and exist alone, given the unfortunate relative compromise of the roof by recent events.

Her attention turns further yet to the sight of Ikari and his several friends. Her lips thin for a moment. The frown disappears. Her expression softens, for several reasons, and she turns round. She is facing approximately towards Shinji's table when

SMAK!

THAT happens.

Rei looks authentically startled.

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

Ouka's warm embrace quite visibly heals Seolla, the heaviness weighing the silver haired girl down seeming to tangibly lift up. There'd be green sparkles emanating from her if possible. "...Thank you. You're adapting...way better to this place than I am. As always, you're...way too amazing, big sis..." Her eyes shine up overly admiringly at Ouka. It's sappy, it's sweet, there's practically pastel backgrounds of bubbly fluffiness surrounding her. It's probably going to pester Asuka even more.

        "...Ah, I get it. Eisen watched a few too many of those old movies with those cooky genius inventor types, so he fashions himself that..." Seolla's sapphire gaze analyzes Eisen a little more thoroughly...and for the first time, she breaks out into a little laugh. "...It's kinda funny! You're alright, you know. If the roof is quieter...it'd probably have been a better place to meet people than the cafeteria." (Seolla Icebreaking Technique #1: be kind of a huge ridiculous dummy.)

        The ever-numb and cold aura Rei Ayanami gives off is something Seolla just about immediately picks up on, and she points a finger at the pale blue haired girl, looking at Asuka in the process. "...That girl there, the vibe she gives off. That's...what I've been dealing with all day." (no she hasn't. Seolla has No Idea that Rei transcends glumness into her own iconic...Rei-ness.) "I'd throw down with you right here, right now...ughhhhh, but this whole...school business...is a pain in the butt! How does -anyone- deal with this much...it's like...purgatory in here!)

        ...Ouka takes the initiative, and Seolla marvels and sputters at the radiant slap. She's totally thrown off, and then stammers out, "O-Ouka...you didn't need to do that, really. Like. ...I've been having a bad day just...from being here, not from anything Asuka's doing. It's fine-!" 

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

"I am not a cooky genius, I am a..." He's about to say more when he sees this adjustment in Ouka's expression.

There's an instant response within Eisen when he sees the change in posture. The subtle adjustment of foot. There's a practiced and intense sudden adjustment within Eisen as he shifts one foot subtle back and prepares to move...

But Ouka's slap comes in without his intereference. It's hard to say if he even could have interfered had he wanted to. But there's that tremble of a halt to his left arm, stopping a trained forward movement that had begun instinctively, and had been interrupted by conscious thought on his part.

That slap echoes through the cafeteria, and instead of shock, there's a grimace there. Whether that grimace is there because he feels that Asuka will not let this stand, or because he can practically 'feel' the pain burning on Asuka's cheek on his own - as his mind imagines what that must have felt like.

He steps back from what he believes to be the inevitable throw-down. There's no amount of 'Asuka, don't' that will possible halt the fury and flames that in his mind is rapidly boiling to Asuka's mind. His suspicion of Seolla doesn't halt even for a moment, but he's taking another step back. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        There *are* a lot of whispers going around through the cafeteria. Most of them are, frankly, not very important; either they're largely the same, or they're off-topic. It's important to know what is and isn't worth tuning into. Accordingly, Kaworu's gaze flicks down to Ouka's student ID as she presents it. It looks legitimate enough, and feels that way, too. What an unusual turn...
        
        Rei meanwhile tells him she's here to eat. Kaworu's expression is sympathetic. "I see. You'll get more than that if you stay." Seolla and Eisen at least seem to be settling down, but the rest...
        
        Meanwhile, when Asuka glares at him, he only returns it with his usual smile. "I'm just going to watch," he tells her mildly--until Asuka insults Seolla in typical Asuka fashion, and Ouka slaps her clean across the face. That smile of his actually flickers, and he strides forward as he adds, "...Or that was my intent."
        
        Knowing Asuka, she'll definitely return violence with violence, after all--and she's already narrowly evaded suspension once today. She probably won't be that lucky a second time. Kaworu thus positions himself between Asuka and Ouka, Asuka at his back, gliding in with as much effortless ease as if he'd ice-skated over. It helps that Eisen took a step out of the way; it makes the path clearer. He fixes that red-eyed smile on Ouka, and though his body language is relaxed, it's also unyielding.
        
        "I understand you're upset," he tells her conversationally, without adding, 'And I sympathize.' "But I would ask you not to do that again." As Shinji said, and as Kaworu silently invokes: "This really doesn't need to be a fight."

<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.


"What are you stupid? That's why someone needs to call it in!" As she upbraids Shinji for trying to deescalate the situation. Whereas Kaworu says he's just going to watch and Asuka's eyes narrow in anger, "About what I expected of y-"

Asuka has this image in her head of Seolla and Ouka being two weepy kids who can't do anything by themselves. She doesn't really expect anything of them the moment Seolla nearly collapses into Ouka and Ouka indicates a need for the two to have a private moment for comfort. Then again the expectations she sets of other people are so low that it would be charitable to call them an underestimation.

She's not even looking Ouka's way when suddenly there's a blur in her vision. Before she can even react she's slapped hard enough that one might wonder if it loosened teeth. It turns her head. And with a stumble she has to catch the edge of a table across the aisle to prevent herself from actually falling.

For a moment, the whole cafeteria may wonder how Asuka's going to react. Eisen for one understands intrinsically that there's not much 'talk' that would get her to back off. Then Kaworu gets between them, assuredly there'd be more hands being thrown. Yet, Asuka at least understands Kaworu for as much as she hates him. If she fights back, it's likely he'll intervene. And as much as she hates to admit it, those odds wouldn't go her way.

Hands flexing, and unflexing at her sides... suddenly she looks past Kaworu at Ouka, and while there's anger... there's also something else in those eyes. "Heh." She doesn't smile, but the look on her face is... smug. "Here I thought there was nothing to you... just another doll."

And indeed, she might be pointedly directing that barb in Rei's direction as well... like she were intended to be collateral damage.

"Shame that only comes out for her. What a waste of space."


<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

"Toji." Kensuke whispers, spoiling what was otherwise a perfect moment of silence. "I got that on camera."

"We are going to make a fortune." Toji says, but doesn't seem happy about it. He also looks towards the other end of the cafeteria. Hands have been thrown, there is no way Hikari is not on her way and she will blame them out of habit.

Shinji stands up, because it's been a while since he's done something stupid. "Hey, don't you bring Ayanami into it!" Shinji says, pointing a finger at Seolla. "Ayanami tries her best and she's never hurt anybody that isn't a giant space bug. I'm sorry you're having a hard time adjusting, I really am, but don't use her as your example, jeze!" He actually feels a little bad for Seolla but the last thing anyone needs is Ayanami on these violent girls's collective shit list.

Of course this is before the Vibe is laid down, or just as, so Shinji just sort of looks at Ouka wondering if she's going to deck him, too. "You couldn't have just texted Misato." Shinji mutters to Asuka, waiting for the other shoe to come crashing down. 

<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        Aurum-1

        A beautiful facade. Fashioned in the image of a perfect child soldier. Strong. Loyal. Regal. Compared to the average dirty street urchin holding an AK-style rifle, she is several leagues and even dimensions beyond. But when stressed, when pressured in a particular way that she was not prepared to be pushed, the porcelain begins to split and the cracks widen. What is underneath is not pretty. And it is staring out from behind golden eyes - eyes as fierce of any lioness protecting her family from a threat.

        'O-Ouka...you didn't need to do that, really. Like. ...I've been having a bad day just...from being here, not from anything Asuka's doing. It's fine-!'

        The stammering uneasy words of Seolla draw her back. The cracks narrow, the seams close. Thankfully Eisen made no attempt to intervene on Asuka's behalf. Thankfully Kaworu arrives just in time to intervene on the side of peace.

        'But I would ask you not to do that again.'

        Ouka releases a breath she didn't know she was holding as she leans forward against the table - resting one hand on its surface, at its edge. She takes a few moments to catch breath and allow herself to recover. Her eyes look towards Seolla with a rare expression of guilt in her eyes: She doesn't like to let herself go in front of her fellow Boosted Children after all. She is meant to protect them true - but she is also meant to be a role model for them too. Not to act like an out of control Argent.

        'Shame that only comes out for her. What a waste of space.'

        There is a faint whining, creaking sound at that. One looking at Ouka's arm resting against the table will realize that the entire length of it is tensed. The tables are not meant to be moved. Indeed this building, like all buildings in Tokyo 3, are designed with defense against Angels first and practicality second. With that in mind they have likely been secured against the ground to prevent them from sliding around too much during assaults...

        ... but for a split second it seems to move. Just a faint few millimeters, as that faint whine can be heard from the bolts below.

        "It won't happen again." Ouka's arm relaxes and the table settles back down those same few millimeters. Almost. There will be a slight but just-noticeable tilt to the table that the faculty will likely argue over for weeks. "I'm sorry. It's been a rough day." Her eyes glance down to Seolla, and she smiles softly, "For both of us."

        That's when the frame expands to bring Shinji into the picture. "Ayanami... giant space bug?" Ouka frowns, and looks once more at the girl with the collar around her neck. "Ah." She responds softly, "I'm sorry if Seolla came off a bit rude." Ouka responds in place of a slap to Shinji, "I'll see to it that she apologizes. We do have our manners, after all..." Golden eyes shoot a glare towards Asuka. "Let's go Seolla. We probably should eat our lunch somewhere a bit less crowded anyway." She picks up the embossed A-1 bento from the table before reaching to help Seolla up. Intending to leave Asuka behind and go have a chat with Rei, of all people. 

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

Eisen kind of draws a bit closer to the side and lets Kaworu handle this. He's reading the expression on Asuka's face - or rather, the range that she goes through - when Kaworu steps in. In a ways, he's quite amazed at the way that Kaworu Nagisa handles situations like these, and has a 'handle' on Asuka.

Standing further away, almost like a bystander, he takes note of the subtle creak of metal. A moment of thought entering his mind about metal fatigue. But with Asuka priming his mind with the ideas of G-Hound, his mind quickly jumps instead to cyborgs, super soldiers, psychic beings, and all the crazy things one could come up with. Instead of this discovery having his heckles raised, it just makes him more interested in Ouka.

If he just got a DNA sample. If he was just allowed to bring his cybernetics to school. So many ifs - that could lead to answers here. But he'll just have to make due with this being a first encounter.

"It seems this school is quickly becoming the intended place for people to 'socially adjust'." Eisen pipes up. "Seems you all still have a long way to go." As if he isn't part of the problem somehow. As if all of this has nothing to do with him.

He then puts his hands at his hips and remarks; "You know, if you really wanted to stop spies from doing spy things, you would pretend you had not noticed them - reported them - and gone for a capture when they were isolated. See - now they are on guard. What are you afraid they'll find out here? That you scored only a 77 on the last test?"

He did worse. 

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.


Taken off guard, Rei is pointed at by the gray-haired girl. Her eyes turn towards her as her mouth stays slightly, faintly agape. The what? The vibe? What Seolla says in more detail is conversational and idiomatic enough that Rei struggles with it, although, immediately, if silently, she concurs with her opinion of the school.

This is a lost cause. She's not going to eat anything at this rate, even if abstractly - given that she is still recovering - Rei realizes that she ought to. Whatever curiosity she has for the new arrivals is adequately satisfied now.

Departure: an excellent agenda.

Then Shinji speaks. Rei does not emote in response to this but blooms of pink erupt on her cheekbones as an acute feeling in the pit of her stomach flares up. Her jaw tightens, which at least does not hurt any more. She clasps the blue box in her hands to her midsection, perhaps from a lack of anything better to do with her hands. If she was giving off gloomy, depressed vibes previously, she is not now.

They are speaking, in particular, about her. Rei turns to move towards the exit, although she is not moving fast enough to elude pursuit.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        If Asuka had fought back, *someone* would have intervened, certainly--and it wouldn't have gone well for Asuka just as certainly. Kaworu stopping the fight before it can actually get started is his way of defending her. Whether Asuka sees it that way or not... doesn't really matter. He didn't do it to gain points with her, after all.
        
        Ouka and Seolla might see that on his face when Asuka sneers at Ouka; his smile flattens momentarily. Even so, he keeps his eyes on Ouka--though the effect she has on the table definitely doesn't escape his notice. His smile returns when she eases up and apologizes. "I understand," he replies. (He really, truly does.) He glances to one side as Shinji stands up in defense of Rei, and Rei's cheeks turn pink; his expression softens into a fondness Ouka might well recognize. She experiences it often enough for her own important people, after all.
        
        "Rei Ayanami doesn't do well with crowds. If you intend to have your sister apologize to her, I'd recommend you give her some space first," he remarks, looking back at Ouka. He glances at Seolla and adds, "Especially since it seems you need some time to decompress as well." He otherwise won't stop the two from leaving to eat lunch somewhere quieter.
        
        Especially since Eisen has chosen to pour gasoline on the would-be diminishing fire that is Asuka Shikinami Langley. "You really don't know when to hold your tongue, do you?" he comments to Eisen, repositioning himself so that he's now between him and Asuka. "I agree with your assessment, but your way of phrasing it is not helpful."
        
        Then he looks at Asuka. "Well then, since this incident has been more or less resolved, shall we leave to draft up our report?" He says 'we,' but it's really just a way of pulling Asuka out of this *next* potential hostile incident before it can *also* explode into violence by giving her an excuse to walk away. He could just as easily--and would vastly prefer--making this report by himself, after all.

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

The ideal Seolla holds of Ouka in her head - that she does of anyone she cares for, really, is a firm and fierce one. That intensity she displays when fighting on her behalf - it reminds her...and it assures her. It's as difficult for her big sister as it is for her - just in different ways.

        But she doesn't see the emergence of that as the 'flaw' in the perfect soldier. To her...it's a wonderful unveiling of a beautiful truth. Seolla's eyes are -sparkling- at Ouka in the aftermath of that, and all at once, the tension in her body dissolves, as though venting out steam. Her smile suddenly gets more vivid. It's happening basically in tandem with Rei's blooming of warmth.

        "...Ouka, you're trying so hard on my behalf...I have to do more to protect you-!" Seolla plants her hands on the table, gazing directly at Eisen, at Shinji, at Asuka - her face going red with intensity, yet determination. "...I...don't know what you've all taken with what I've said- but...it's my purpose to prevent people from being hurt, by any means possible! And going forward I'm definitely doing that! None of you get to say no!" Her outburst gets loud. It pipes up over the whole cafeteria. ...and it sorta embarrasses Seolla immediately after she says that, and she zips off towards a bathroom to try and re-compose herself...! 

<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.


"And play roulette on whether it's her day off and she's day-drinking?" Asuka mutters to Shinji, not actually snapping at him this time. Yet Asuka starts slightly as Ouka grabs the table and starts to tense like she's going to rip it up. She's not sure if she can actually pull it off, but it's enough to have her worried. Standing there, she weighs evasive options. Beneath another table perhaps, improvised weapons all over the place.

Yet Ouka relaxes. Asuka doesn't, not quite. She also doesn't say anything else to Ouka or Seolla. Not as Ouka apologizes for herself - for them both. She just meets her gaze like she's unafraid - even if her heart rate is elevated more than is comfortable right now.

Eisen points out the smart way to handle spies, and perhaps he's correct, but it's Asuka. And Asuka certainly wasn't trained in spy games, she was trained to be a blunt instrument against Angels. "You think I give a damn about subterfuge? G-Hound needs to get its nose out of our affairs right now... and not one second..." 77. That does it though, and she takes a step towards him, hands curled up into fists, "... You bastard...!" And now it's likely she's going to strike Eisen... save, that she certainly remembers Kaworu's threat, and indeed Kaworu gets between them to pointedly remind her and it's like her glare lashes him as he agrees with Eisen despite the poor timing. So instead she uncurls a hand and points a finger at Eisen, "You say one more word and I'll announce to the whole school your hobbies behind closed doors on the PA system."

It's a bluff perhaps, but only partially one, she got Eisen to admit once that he plays with models in private.

Seolla's subsequent outburst causes Asuka to... look across the cafeteria as if to say 'Did she just say that?' Though perhaps mercifully all she does is roll her eyes. She... can't really understand why Seolla is so obsessed with Ouka, and Ouka in turn. Such relationships between soldiers are worthless in her eyes.

Kaworu offers her a way out though, a graceful exit to write the report. She ought to take it, he did her a favor in so many ways even if she can't acknowledge it "Do whatever you want on your own."

Besides, she doesn't really want to contribute because then she'd have to explain HOW she knows them. Which might lead to the discovery that she created a small international incident with the Peacecraft heir, "Since apparently dealing with two G-Hound infiltrators is such a low priority to you Administrator that you wanna take your time on the calligraphy in the report."

With a dismissive wave, Asuka tries to disengage herself, though she does not get back in line. She'll hit up a vending machine in a minute - or just go without. It's been an awful day for her.


<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

Normal people don't talk about having to protect people. Eisen knows this. That's the talk of soldiers, of people with special upbringings. So as Kaworu steps forward, he's glancing a bit to the side and over his shoulder at the play that is unfolding behind him. Still, the way his ears twitch ever so slightly will let the Angel before him know that he's listening.

With Seolla's outburst over, he turns to look into those crimson eyes before him with a tiniest of smiles; "Hmm, I guess I don't." He remarks, with this little sparkle of joy in his eyes. Admittedly, he'd not expected Kaworu to try and step in quite so quickly, but things are still going as he's laid it out in his mind. Still, he plays it off with an awkard rub his hand behind his head.

A hand that lowers quickly when Asuka speaks of his hobbies and the PA system. "W-what!?" He dramatically takes a step back, one arm back, the other to his chest. This super over-dramatic posture that almost seems to mock; "You wouldn't!" He then takes a step forward, accusingly pointing at her, trying to draw the world around him into his pace.

Glaring at her along the length of that outstretched arm.

But Asuka is extracating herself from the situation. So Eisen drops the pose and puts his hands at his hips and then looks around as if he is trying to figure out what time it is, before looking to Kaworu. "I still gotta go to these classes huh?" Like a child trying to get out of something they don't want to do by acting up. 

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Shinji moves.

No one seems to notice, and Shinji's glad for that. He's shocked himself, but for that heartbeat where it seemed like Ouka'd just go off on Asuka, he felt himself shift to the balls of his feet and desperately try to remember what little self defense Tetsuya Tsurugi and a bad upbringing gave him.

What a strange instinct, Shinji thinks, and sees that Rei is gone and Asuka's off to harass Kaworu. Shinji.

Frowns, and grabs his paper and his lunch (vegetable poke with some pork goyoza.), deciding everyone's better off if he just stays out of it. 

<Pose Tracker> Ouka Nagisa has posed.

        Today hasn't been a very good day for Ouka either.

        She has been trying so hard to protect Seolla. In fact, the entire reason she came to the cafeteria was so that she could warn Seolla that this school was definitely what they both thought - some sort of secret military training facility. After all... why else would something so basic as a normal school have a receptacle for dispensing individually wrapped, specially designed bullet wound bandages?!

        Truly, it defies any other explanation Ouka can think of anyway.

        So far though not only has she not had a quiet moment to speak to Seolla about this... but the younger girl effusively expands on her desire to help protect Ouka! Ouka and... everyone else?! She watches helplessly as the pale girl becomes redder than a certain Loud Phoenix's hair, before suddenly sprinting off toward the bathroom to try and recompose herself.

        "Ah..." is all Ouka can manage. She would chase down Seolla but, unlike Arado, she knows when it's time to leave well enough alone. The girl has been through enough and just needs time to decompress.

        Moving much slower... is Rei Ayanami. Well her goal to have Seolla apologize for the (unintentionally?) hurtful things she said will shift... to just apologizing on her behalf.

        'Rei Ayanami doesn't do well with crowds.' Kaworu said that to her just moments before. And even pointed out how Seolla herself may need time to decompress. A prediction that now rings all too true. She feels a strange... affinity for the boy. Perhaps it's the fond smile he gives Shinji when the younger Ikari stepped up to Rei's defense, so much like her own fond smiles for her siblings. Perhaps it's something else. Regardless she gives him a simple, appreciative bowing of her head.

        "Excuse me, Ayanami-san..." Ouka stands a few meters back from Rei, so as to not crowd her. "I was hoping you and I could talk for a bit... so I could apologize."

        Meanwhile Eisen is engaged in an act of self-immolation with Asuka in the background, while at the same time she herself is being chased with Asuka repeatedly declaring her and Seolla a pair of G-Hound spies. Ouka winces a bit at that before sighing...

        "... perhaps somewhere a bit quieter, if you don't mind?" She holds up her own bento box, still unopen and uneaten even as the lunch break grinds on. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu's expression remains politely impassive as Asuka verbally slaps down his offer, then stalks off to disengage on her own terms. He doesn't protest her accusation or try to defend or explain himself; he doesn't believe she would listen. She leaves without engaging in violence and more importantly doesn't make him have to spend more time with her. That's plenty.
        
        It also means he has the opportunity to observe Eisen as Eisen observes everything around him, as that delight sparkles in his eyes, and as Seolla makes her impassionate declarations about protecting both Ouka and the people around her before getting embarrassed by herself and fleeing. His expression remains impassive, but his red eyes are sharp.
        
        Then he shrugs, seeming generally unfazed by Eisen's theatrics. That's par for the course for Kaworu, though. He smiles and nods back at Ouka, not interfering as she leaves to approach Rei. Instead, he says to Eisen, "I don't care if you cut. For those on our intellectual level, public school is only valuable on a social level."
        
        As if to punctuate his assertion, he then looks over at Shinji once more. Shinji seems content (well, probably not *content*) to go back to minding his own business now that Seolla has run off and Asuka's stalked away, and the cafeteria is generally quieting down to its more usual dull roar. Kaworu thus leaves him be too, albeit for very different reasons from Asuka. All the same, his gaze lingers on him.
        
        Then he strolls off, perhaps to draft up that report as he mentioned earlier. His pace is leisurely enough that he could be followed, though. 

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

"Excellent." Eisen firmly declares at Kaworu's remark on cutting class. But he's right, public school is still valuable on a social level. And at least Eisen does recognize this much. As much as he usually doesn't really want to put up with being 'normal' or being amongst the 'boring masses' as he's publically called it before.

"See you all later." He then heads on his own way - hoping that his earlier pointers will aid the new transfer students in finding a comfortable spot. Maybe even join a club that will help with their own social situations. 

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.


Rei feels strange things as she departs.

Not so much that she feels things at all - this has happened to her a number of times. It is the complicated mixture.

A sort of flustered pleasure at what Ikari said.

A strange something akin to protective urges about the Second, despite everything.

Relief at the actions of the Administrator.

And a certain sympathy for the gray-haired girl, who Rei did not really hear the name of. It does not hurt, perhaps, that Seolla retreats precipitously past Rei on her way to the bathroom. Rei might not have minded that destination herself. People don't bother you in there very much.

But then someone addresses her.

Rei stops moving forwards. She shuffles around - the neck, no doubt - and turns to face Ouka. Well, face towards her. She looks approximately at Ouka's knees for a few moments before deliberately raising her head up and looking at the taller woman. The blue lunchbox is held, protectively.

"... Yes," Rei agrees.

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