2022-09-11: Boys's Night

• Log: 2022-09-11: Boys's Night
• Cast: Yuta Hibiki, Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji Ikari, Orpheus Zevon
• Where: Tsutsujidai
• OOC - IC Date: September 11, 0096 (2022)
• Summary: Yuta puts on a sleepover with the boys at his place.

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<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

"how to do a sleepover"

"how to do a sleepover for boys"

"sleepover snacks for boys"

"what is a sleeping bag"

Despite a severe lack of knowledge, Yuta's doing his absolute best to make sure this will be a night to remember. The furniture has been pushed back against the walls, the table is laid heavy with snacks, Yuta's even purchased some pjs for himself, to set the scene properly. The TV has been placed in a more central location, with a few internet-approved "boy's sleepover" movies to the side. There seem to be some superhero flicks, some comedies, and maybe a romantic movie or two at the very bottom of the pile. You never know what your guests might like. Noticeably absent are kaiju movies or anything to do with robots. No need to bring up bad memories tonight.

With the lights shut off and the windows closed, Yuta worried it might be a bit too dark. He dug through the closet until he found an odd box of decorations. Twinkle lights have been strung along the walls and most counters, adding a soft glow that Yuta thinks is quite nice! The final piece of the puzzle is four sleeping bags arranged nicely on the floor between the spread out couches. According to all the articles he read, this is everything you need for a nice time with your bros.

Well, except for the guests! Hopefully they arrive soon...

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Yuta and Kaworu had talked about doing a sleepover and inviting several of their friends together for it a couple of months ago, shortly after Kaworu got out of the hospital. Not everyone they'd had in mind at the time was able to make it, but Yuta was fortunately open to an extra invitation on Kaworu's side--and Orpheus had been willing to accept that invitation, too. Though Kaworu's only been to a sleepover once or twice in his many cycles, he knows enough to understand they're a good way to bond, and it would be nice if Shinji and Orpheus could get to know each other better. Orpheus and Yuta, too, all considered.
        
        It's a simple enough matter of meeting up at one of the train stations in Nouvelle Tokyo, and from there moving on to Tsutsujidai. True, the change in Tsutsujidai's... circumstances... means that's not a viable way to enter anymore for normal people--but Kaworu's hardly a normal person, isn't he? As long as Shinji and Orpheus don't question it too closely, it's all right.
        
        From there, it's a relaxing walk to Yuta's apartment. Kaworu, being fully healed now (aside from the occasional headache, but it's so infrequent and will surely fade entirely in time), keeps his hands tucked in his pockets of his usual school outfit (tomorrow is, after all, a school day) as he usually does, a small overnight bag slung with a change of clothes and a few other sundries. After a moment to climb up the outdoor stairs that lead to the front doors of the upstairs apartments, he stops before it and knocks on the door.
        
        "Hey. Thank you for having us over, Yuta," Kaworu says with a friendly smile once Yuta opens the door. Shinji and Orpheus are no doubt at his back. He steps inside and shuffles off his sneakers in the foyer before entering further inside. "What charming lights," he adds, admiring the twinkle lights strung up inside. He looks back over his shoulder at his friends. "Is it bright enough for you two, Shinji, Orpheus?"

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Shinji had a friendless childhood. Never once had he slept over at someone else's house, except that first night he was dropped off at his teacher's place before it well and truly sunk in that it wasn't temporary. If he were less self-conscious, he might have reminded himself that Kaworu had expressed a lonely life on the moon, and Yuta was created in a dream world, and that the only reason Shinji has to think Orpheus might have any sleepover experience is not knowing him well enough to suppose anything in his history would have prevented it.

(And maybe, unfortunately, too many children don't get normal childhoods these days.)

The good news: if anything strange happens tonight, Shinji has no way of knowing this isn't normal sleepover business. Even Kaworu's arrival tactics go unquestioned -- Orpheus naturally getting a polite but quiet greeting as they meet up -- though some of that is Shinji's preoccupation with protecting a tin box he's carrying, making it more difficult to adjust the bag he has hanging over one shoulder.

They arrive in one piece (a relief), and Shinji smiles faintly at Yuta from behind Kaworu. "Yes, thank you." It is a miracle he gets his shoes off with his hands full, he thinks (he's fine, he's just nervous), and blinks up at Kaworu's question.

It's the first time he notices it's dim here, and Shinji notes the set up with curiosity and quiet awe. Is this how sleepovers are...? (See, it's already happening.) "Oh. Um. Of course." He's not about to fuss while he's a guest, even if he didn't like it. ... He does, though. "It's a little like stars..."

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"A sleepover?"

It's the appropriate question he found himself asking as he received the text from Kaworu. The only 'sleepovers' as a child he recalls having were mostly that of a time he'd rather forget. Though if Kaworu was asking him to attend this little get together, who was he to deny it? Well, there were many points before that time he had considered it. Especially when he had been informed of those who would be coming.

Those two, huh. . .?

Shinji Ikari, the young man who Kaworu had gone out of his way to make sure that Orpheus did not *complicate* his life any further. as well as the reploid, Yuta Hibiki, one of those denizens created by Akane Shinjo. The last time they had all spoken, Orpheus had taken on the guise of a NERV agent working with Alouette. Someone whose face was never shown in that meeting room, though now. . .Now he was Orpheus Zeveles. A member of the GUTS alliance. Someone who Kaworu knew as a 'senpai', Shinji had known as Kaworu's senpai, and whom Yuta had never even properly met. Just an average high school boy you could find anywhere.

The path of going to Tsutsujidai is one he's heard rumors about at this point. Or at least. . .The one's where there had only been one proper path. Though if there was anyone he could have assumed was capable of breaking those rules, it was none other than Kaworu Nagisa.

Upon his arrival his expression had been a bit worried, at least how it seemed on the surface. Though in reality, the emotion that seemed more appropriate might have been confused? Even after an explanation he really wasn't sure what it was he should be doing here.

Maybe Ashford would have been a good person to consult on this. . .

It's an honest thought that passed for a moment as he ultimately made it along with Shinji and Kaworu. Up to the point they had made it to Yuta's house, Orpheus likely had greeted both, though. . . Pertaining to conversation, it had seemed like he hadn't thought of much to converse about with the two? What could he converse about with any of these boys in fact? School life? That was something he had only been doing within the last few months. There was no way he could speak about Eva or KMFs, at least enough about piloting them. So. . .What would be appropriate topics for a sleepover like this. . .?

There was very little time to think about it as Yuta welcomed them. "Nice to meet you. . . Kaworu's made mention of you before, but glad to meet you in person. Orpheus Zeveles, GUTS Alliance member of Ashford Academy."

Unlike the actual pajamas that Shinji and Yuta wore, Orpheus has prepared for himself what looks like a light-weight hoodie, with a white tank-top under it. He wears sweatpants as they arrive and along with him, he also seems to be carrying his own bag.

As they enter, Orpheus immediately takes in the lights and responds in kind when asked when it's an issue. "No, this is fine. I'm used to it being very dark so this is perfectly fine." What isn't' fine however is that he almost ends up stepping inside with his shoes. Unlike Shinji and Kaworu, he wasn't still too familiar with traditional Japanese culture. So it takes him another moment before he takes his shoes off to follow the others inside.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Yuta beams as his guests arrive. There's a hint of black makeup smudged around his eyes -- a bit of mascara or eyeliner he couldn't quite get off from the night before, perhaps? But it's hardly noticeable in the dim light. "You guys made it! Please come in, you're welcome! If it's too dark, I'll turn the lights back on. I just thought it looked cool like this." Shinji gets a nod. "Like stars, exactly."

"It's nice to meet you, Orpheus." Yuta offers his hand, with a smile. "I'm Yuta Hibiki -- but you know that." Yuta's wearing pj pants and a tank top, himself. "Ashford Academy! That's impressive. Even I've heard of it. I just go to school here, nothing special."

"We've got tons of snacks." Yuta closes the door behind his guests, then gestures to the table. Chips, cookies, soda, popcorn... Even a few little sandwiches are laid out, clearly hand-made. There's room for more, if anyone's brought any, but there's certainly plenty already! "And I borrowed a game system from the store, and got, um." Yuta unfolds a sheet of paper. It seems to have notes on it. "Brilliant Break Sisters? It was really highly rated online. Besides that, I've got a bunch of movies, and!" He smiles, as though preparing to reveal the finest activity of all. "We can talk about stuff!"

If anyone were to get a glimpse of Yuta's piece of paper, they would find it is indeed covered with sleepover notes. Little doodles accompany each item. At the bottom, circled, is the words "love life". That is the crowning glory of all sleepover discussions, so says the internet.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It's a pleasant overnight activity for friends. Ideally it should be Yuta's friends, since he's the one hosting it, but Riku's gone off to deal with some things and Utsumi couldn't make it, so it'll just have to be Kaworu's friends instead. After tonight, perhaps they'll all be friends with each other.
        
        "It is like the stars," he tells Shinji. Whether there's enough light to see the fondness in his smile, it's clearly audible in his voice. Good memories, perhaps. He strolls over to a nearby table and sets his shoulder bag down. He'll change later.
        
        "You already know that Shinji and I attend the same school," he remarks to Orpheus, "but actually, Yuta and I attend the same school, too." He smiles at Yuta and adds, "Isn't that right, 'senpai'?" There's humor there in his use of the word, like it's some kind of joke. It's unclear what the humor is, though. Then he gestures from Yuta over to Orpheus and continues, "Orpheus and I encountered each other on a few GUTS-related joint school trips, among other things. He's been a great friend to me, and I hope you'll get along too."
        
        Shinji would have heard that also on the way over, but now it's Yuta here, so he gets to hear it again. It seems as though the lighting isn't a problem for anyone, and when Yuta unfolds a sheet of paper, Kaworu leans over with interest to read it upside-down. "What's 'Brilliant Break Sisters'?" he wonders.
        
        He notes the circled words 'love life,' and wonders, without thinking to mention it to the others, if any of them have a love life to speak of. Kaworu glances at Shinji from the corner of his eye. Well, perhaps it would be a good opportunity to bring up the Second Child...

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Shinji's smile eases as Yuta confirms his assessment, and his cheeks redder when Kaworu joins in with the attention. It's not quite praise, but at least he didn't say something stupid to start with and that's close enough!

With all of the snacks available, Shinji decides it would be strange and awkward to announce any additions. He carefully slides the tin among the spread like it was there all along, though he is hardly a master of stealth or the discreet if anyone's watching and chooses to say anything. (And if anyone chooses to investigate, they'll find checkerboard cookies inside. Homemade, as one might expect from Shinji.)

But whatever nervous energy Shinji entered with is fading rather rapidly. Kaworu is a friend. Yuta is someone Shinji gets along with and feels at ease with too, in a way he doesn't with some of his classmates. And if Orpheus is a friend of Kaworu's... that speaks well of him, doesn't it? There may have been the sushi envy incident, but Shinji wouldn't hold that against Orpheus himself.

Shinji's gaze wanders toward the gaming platform, not without intrigue. "Um. A... fighting game, isn't it?" he says, for Kaworu's benefit. He may have heard it being talked about at school. "As long as it's okay that I'm not that good at those sorts of things..." Shinji lives with Asuka. His idea of how good he'd have to be to keep up might be skewed.

In the dim lighting, he goes, for now, unaware of The Plan and its emphasized item.

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

There's no resistance as he brings a firm shake to Yuta's own hand. A nod gifted as he lets their host bring them in. He takes some time to look about the place here and there, obviously taking in all the snacks and games that have been provided for them for tonight's activities, but any family photos that might be taken around the rooms. Anything that honestly just seems unique, or just interesting about the residence of one who lives in Akane's 'World'.

"I've been very lucky to make it in for certain. Though, I'm sure the schools around here are just as good. Still, is it just going to be just us tonight? Parents out for the night, perhaps?"

While he knows the situation for Kaworu, and he's actually been able to read up on some of Shinji's files. . .Thanks to some rather. . .Investigative measures, he still doesn't know much of the family life of much of the reploids.

As he asks the questions he begins walking towards the snacks though not before putting his bag down near the door. From there, he begins scouring them curiously, the sugary treats definitely were given a first look, then the chips, but it's the popcorn that ends up being the winner for Orpheus. As for the soda, he finds himself looking it over. . .Looking it over again. . .And again. . . There's definitely a wide variety being displayed. Ultimately he finds himself taking a seltzer, or whatever soda is there that's closest to looking like it or a ginger ale. As he takes his drink and snack in kind he also sits around the table listening to Kaworu's elaboration to the others.

"Hmmm? That so? A dual enrollment perhaps? Interesting. Well, if that's the case it goes without saying that I hope that the both of you will continue to look over Kaworu thoroughly. Despite appearances this one's more prone to let himself get into trouble than you'd expect. Perhaps not on the level of a troublemaker but. . ." He eyes Kaworu for a moment before taking a slow sip of his beverage. "Well, I guess if he hasn't caused either of you trouble it's fine."

In the moment and ever so nonchalantly it really does feel like Orpheus speaks from much more experience than one would expect of just a senpai relationship. Though before anyone can ask more questions about it, Orpheus raises a brow of his own at Yuta's mention of a game.

"Brilliant. . .Breaker. . .Sisters?"

It's the first step of words that's actually left him baffled all night. For Kaworu and Shinji the look is probably one of the few times he's outright questioning what he's looking at. It wasn't like he spent much time playing video games after all. At the very least when it's mentioned and he spots the packaging for it, he's already looking at it like one would scan over the cover of a book, it's only when Shinji elaborates on it further does that expression fade slightly. "Interesting." . At the moment though, he's yet to really notice the itinerary for tonight's festivities.

In the meanwhile he looks back towards Yuta and Shinji together, "So, do you two tend to play games like these alot? Is it something you do more of in the summer?" Oh look, he found another conversation topic as well. How social of him.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Orpheus is able to locate exactly one family photo! Two adults pose with Yuta, though their faces are somehow cloaked in the shadows more than the rest of the picture. Besides that, it's a remarkably 'normal' apartment. There's an air conditioning box, a fridge, a sink... There's a few bottles of soda with marbles in them. That might be a little unusual.

"Ah, my parents are out of town." Yuta says, glancing away. There's been a growing sense of doubt in his heart about them -- no phone calls, no post cards... But he can't deal with that tonight. "So it's just us! Still, let's not go too wild."

Orpheus' kind words for Kaworu gets a nod and a smile from Yuta. Caring for his friends was a good sign that they'd get along. "Kaworu's a big favorite at school. He plays piano for the dance club. But I'll make sure he doesn't get into more trouble. He's important to us!" Yuta glances at Kaworu with a thumbs-up gesture.

"Oh! Speaking of schools, Kaworu. I'm sending the budget money I won from the pageant to the dance club. You guys should be able to get some new equipment, or instruments, or something?" Yuta scratches the side of one cheek. "I'm not actually sure what the dance team would need. But it's only fair after you and Marusan helped me with my routine so much."

"I'd love to hear more about you, Orpheus. Do you have any hobbies?" Yuta, noticing Shinji's addition, grabs a couple cookies and sits down on a couch in front of the tv. There's plenty of room for everyone, if they choose to join him. Then, to Kaworu, "It's some kind of fighting game, with a bunch of characters from all over. I'm not actually sure where most the characters are from, but, everyone online seems to really like it!"

Yuta reaches back to the table and grabs the game case, handing it to Kaworu. It's pretty old looking. Several fighters are posed, about to clash. Notably, Pikachu is there, in a non-knockoff form! A lady knight with a sword is in the back, flanked by a princess and a creature that looks like a small kaiju. Other characters are windowed on either side of the image.

"I've never played a video game before, so you're ahead of me, Shinji." Yuta laughs a little. "If you'd prefer, I've got movies instead! I think a lot of boys play video games in the summer. I'm a little new to this sort of thing." Yuta admits, with a hint of a wobbly smile. "To be perfectly honest, I got all my research from online message boards and stuff. This is my first summer, and my first sleepover!"

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        While Shinji might try to be stealthy about sliding his tin in with the other snacks, Kaworu is always thinking of him, and therefore always mindful of what he does. He spots, but does not comment on, the action.
        
        "A fighting game?" he echoes instead. Orpheus weighs in on it, and he nods. "Hmmm... It does sound interesting." He smiles reassuringly at Shinji. "Don't worry. It sounds like we might all be beginners." Yuta had to borrow the game system, after all. Though when it comes to electronics, Kaworu being a technical beginner is quite meaningless...
        
        "Something like that," he adds to the dual enrollment comment. The rest, though, gets Orpheus a soft, rueful chuckle. "I can't deny it. I hope I've been more help than trouble to you, though," he replies.
        
        Yuta mentions his playing piano for the dance club, and his smile broadens. "It's been a lot of fun. I enjoy music immensely, but I haven't had much experience with dance. It's fascinating, the way Lilim contextualize sound into movement. It was wonderful to watch you dance as well."
        
        Oh yes, and there was that whole pageant yesterday that Kaworu also hasn't mentioned. Maybe Yuta will bring it up, now that they're talking about the prize money. "For that, I'd encourage you to talk to Marusan about it. I'm sure she'd have a better grasp of what the club needs. I just come by to play."
        
        As the others head over to the couch, Kaworu lingers a bit at the snack table to gently pop open the tin. He picks up one of the checkerboard cookies in fascination and takes a small bite. It had a good flavor, good texture, fine crispness... He brings it over, along with a bottle of water, to set down near the couch, then sits with the rest, legs crossed.
        
        With his other hand, he accepts the game case and looks it over. It is quite colorful... A bright and happy-looking sort of game. "There's no harm in trying," he says, handing it back. "Let's do this. There's something splendid about sharing in a new experience together, isn't there?" Even if Shinji has technically experienced it before, it sounds like.
SCENESYS: C.C. has posted scene #166, 'It Was Just a Little Apocalypse', at 18:00 ET on 09/16.
[O-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> What are you all up to this evening?

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Yuta's parents aren't home. He doesn't ask the obvious question that might have a terrifying answer. "I, um, used to have home to myself a lot, too," is what he says instead, in a feeble attempt to deflect from the possible darker parts of that subject.

Shinji cannot help but shift his full attention to Orpheus and Yuta they speak about Kaworu. Kaworu's been something of a mystery since arriving... friendly, but quiet, and seemingly open, but not quite. It feels like there's too much Shinji doesn't know... Windows of him through the eyes of others -- and his double school life (how, Kaworu...) -- add new layers. Piano's familiar, but --

"Trouble?" he glances toward Kaworu as if Kaworu might have a telling reaction. There's certainly been trouble, but Shinji doubts that's what Orpheus is getting at. "Ah... I'll... keep a closer eye on him." He tries to smile at that.

There are surprise Yuta details in this conversation, too. "You dance...?" Shinji stares at Yuta a little too long, trying to imagine that. Sorry, Yuta.

Shinji has settled himself down at the foot of the couch, nibblng a snack here and there and not being as subtle as he thinks in noting those who taste his cookies. As long as there's no disgust shown, he considers it a win, smiling to himself a lot.

"Not often..." Shinji admits of video games. "I don't dislike them, though."

It will be a new experience in that Shinji has never played this particular one, at least.

SCENESYS: Akane Shinjo has posted scene #167, 'Closed Prep: What The Heart Dictates', at 19:00 ET on 09/20.

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

Scanning over the apartment there's the slight notice of the family photo that's ever far enough that making it out in this lighting is found to be tough. Though Yuta's words as he looks away isn't lost. "I see. . ."

He doesn't follow up further. He knows of Akane, and he's sure if this one who's self-aware of his own existence said it then. . .It was better not to dwell on it for all. Especially for the one who shouldn't know of such things. "Of course, rest assured I don't plan to leave this place messier than we found it."

There's an honest, genuine smile as Yuta makes that last remark. 'He's important to us.' It's words that appear to leave a good impression on the oldest (or at least seemingly oldest of the four). Of course that's when mention of the pageant comes up, "Ah, that did happen didn't it. The class president was rather keen on trying to get me to attend though. . ." He found himself escaping from that very idea very quickly. "Well, that would explain the black under your eyes. I thought for a moment you might have been staying up all night trying to get this ready for us. Need any help removing any of that stuff at least?" It's an honest gesture as Orpheus looks like he's just about ready to get up and help wipe down poor Yuta's face. Though he's held off when asked more about himself.

"Hobbies. . .? I. . .On occasion enjoy a good book. Though, I have been looking into art recently."

It is a response that probably seemed very appropriate for a Britannian to say, especially one like him that felt like he might have had some level of nobility to him. Even if he was still wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, that kind of energy tended to just exude from him.

As Yuta starts up the game, Orpheus continues to eat popcorn taking it in, while Kaworu makes his quip. "Hard to say. It's rare that you are, but when it happens you really do cause quite the handful." It's words that aren't masked in the slightest to Kaworu, in a tone that's a bit more blunt. . .A bit more sincere of what Orpheus might remark. He doesn't make more of a fuss of it than that though as he continues watching the television come alive with the game characters. He makes his way over to the couch as well, seating himself at the corner of the couch, though not before lightly patting Shinji's shoulder and offering him a nod. It seemed he also appreciated his remark about Kaworu enough. From there he just continues to watch but can't help but think to himself. . .

This is what guys our age are into. . .?

"Not what I expected." The last words end up muttering from his lips lightly enough that they might be vaguely picked up if that.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

So Shinji knows what it's like... Come to think of it, he hasn't heard Shinji ever mention his family. Maybe he's in a similar situation as Yuta? "It can get kinda lonely, right?" He says, making a note to approach Shinji about his worries later.

"'Lilim'?" Yuta asks, glancing at Kaworu. "Is that the name of the dance club participants?" Kaworu's praise makes Yuta blush. "Thank you! Really, all the credit belongs to Marusan and Leina. They're excellent teachers."

Is it okay to talk about the pageant? He doesn't want to sounds like he's boasting. Yuta does want to talk about it, admittedly... "I was so grateful for your help yesterday, Kaworu. You know, um.." Yuta grabs a pillow from the couch, fussing with it in his lap. "I wouldn't mind learning how to do makeup, myself. I keep thinking about how I looked with all that stuff on, and I think I liked it. Maybe not every day, or anything, but..." He trails off, unsure how to express these feelings.

Shinji asks if Yuta dances, and Yuta straightens up a bit in pride. "Well, I didn't until recently. When I fight, I do tons of flips and stuff, and I found out I can do them as a person, too. Then it was just a matter of adding in graceful stuff in between the flips! I guess -- I did a pretty good job. I entered a contest yesterday and, well." Yuta beams. "I won!"

Orpheus knows of the pageant! That's a relief, he didn't to sound like he's bragging. "I'm sure you would've done great, Orpheus. It was a lot of fun!" When Orpheus mentions the residue makeup, Yuta rubs at his eyes, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Yeah, I scrubbed and scrubbed, but I just couldn't get this bit off. I'd love some help, I don't want to go out looking like I haven't slept in a week!" Yuta holds still as it looks like Orpheus is going to approach. It seems like he'd be fine with it!

"Books and art? You must be a smart guy!" Yuta nods. "I'm trying to discover some hobbies, myself. Ah, don't go too hard on Kaworu!" Raising his hands in a placating motion, Yuta glances back at the white-haired boy. "He's doing his best! Just like all of us." "Alright!" Yuta seems excited to try the game. He takes the game case from Kaworu and grabs a cube-shaped object near the tv. It'd taken some help from the Neon Genesis Junior High Students to get the thing to work with his tv, but now it worked like new! The screen of the tv comes to life with an opening movie of the game. Various fighters show off their skills in brilliant, shocking color. Yuta watches it wide-eyed, a little overstimulated.

"Okay, then come these things." Yuta hands out wireless controllers. They've got the Junk Shop Aya's sticker on them -- advertising a bargain deal. After a few moments of fussing, Yuta manages to navigate to the character select menu. There's dozens of characters... someone must've worked hard unlocking them, in the past! Surely, there must be someone the boys could imagine playing, among the wide cast. Yuta's icon swirls around the screen aimlessly. How could he possibly choose?

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu doesn't remark on the matter of absent parents. His problems in that arena are rather different.
        
        "Oh? Why didn't you participate?" Kaworu wonders at Orpheus. "I would have been happy to do your make-up for you." He smiles broadly at Yuta as he speaks of his help and of learning to do make-up himself. "I'm quite pleased that I was able to give my assistance to the pageant winner. I'm only a hobbyist myself, but it would be my pleasure to teach you how to apply it yourself, Yuta."
        
        Speaking of things Shinji doesn't know about Kaworu...!!
        
        "He is right, though. You still have some smudges left over," he adds. It sounds as though he did do his best to try to remove it, at least. Is 'Lilim' what the dance club is called, though? "It isn't."
        
        ...
        
        ...
        
        ...
        
        Doesn't look like he's going to explain what it is.
        
        As Orpheus and Yuta talk about hobbies, Kaworu takes a moment to savor the rest of that cookie. When he finishes it off, he catches Shinji's eye and gives him a warm smile. Any comment is derailed by talk of his trouble-making, though. "Hahaha... I suppose I do cause something of a stir at times. I don't mean to, but intent doesn't change the fact, does it?" As Shinji says he'll watch out for him, though, Kaworu casts him another fond glance.
        
        Before long, the video game is set up with a wireless controller for each of them. Kaworu looks at interest over the character select menu. After a minute of scrolling through the possibilities, he picks a pale-haired princess-looking character. While waiting for the others to make their own selections, he looks over at Shinji.
        
        "How are things with you and the Second Child, by the way?" he wonders--'the Second Child' rather than 'the Second' since there's someone present whose first thought on hearing 'the Second' would be 'Anocillus the Second.' "You were quite fearful of her the other night... Has she been all right to you lately? Or was it simply the atmosphere at the time?"

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"In that case, do you have olive oil? Anything should work honestly." It's an odd question but as he gave Orpheus permission to help him, he was already wandering into the kitchen. Though if he got an answer he'd likely come back with said oil and something to dab it with. "It's been a while since I've done this so bear with me. If it's too much let me know and I'll stop." And from there, he calmly just starts holding it above Yuta's eyelid. "Hold that for about a minute or so. The oils should help with taking a bit of it off. If there's any excess I'll get it."

Perhaps his choice in 'remover' was an odd option, but the confidence in his voice and the way he handled Yuta's eyes seemed almost trained on the matter. Like this definitely hadn't been his first time doing as such, delicate with the young man as he attended to him.

After a few minutes, he'd let Yuta look himself over in a nearby mirror before deciding if it was worthwhile, and once it was all said and done. . .He'd have made his way over to the couch like it was no big deal, if not for Kaworu's question.

"Despite what you might believe I'm not a fan of make-up. It's tedious and annoying to work with. Plus most of the time it's just used by high-born Nobles that buy it from over-priced vendors. Plus, I was already seeing what that class president was doing to other contestants from our school. I refuse to let that woman sink her fangs into me. . ."

When Yuta brings up another topic he's quick to pivot, "No, not really. It's more just things that can be done to pass the time on the road. Book's easy to take with you, and you can find art almost anywhere. Also. . ." He lets out a sigh when Yuta tries defending Kaworu, "You say that now, but rest assured when this one uses that same excuse. . .Well, it'd be a problem if Kaworu thought I came here only to scold him."

At this point, he finally was able to seat himself down back at the couch nonchalantly. His seat was still at the end of the table as he heard Kaworu mention 'Second Child'. While Orpheus Zeveles shouldn't be familiar with that name, Orpheus was still familiar with the red-headed girl. A girl that even this persona had been becoming quite familiar with. Still, bringing her up so haphazardly would have been without a doubt a red flag, so he just asks some much more casually to Shinji as it comes up.

Fearful of her the other night. . .Has she been alright to you lately. . .Atmosphere of the time?

He finds himself in a rather blunt way just looking at Shinji before he just raises the question knowing full well of that red-head's attitude. "Girl problems?"

Let the real discussions begin. . .

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

This deflection may have backfired when Shinji ends up answering Yuta with a quiet and all too sincere, "... It is." He doesn't make the connection himself that there could indeed be much they might understand in one another, despite their respective situations being born of different problems.

Orpheus is into art and reading. That sounds... well, sophisticated, really. But not what Shinji would expect as an answer from somewhere their age. And Yuta happily reports on his dancing experiences, Shinji's eyes blinking wide and brighter. "Oh. Congratulations..." It's mystified, but sincere. The disbelief in it isn't because he doubts Yuta's skill, but how genuinely pleased Yuta seems. Even putting on make-up...

...That Kaworu applied. "You know how to do make-up, Kaworu?" And Orpheus seems to know how to deal with the aftermath, too. In detail! (Even if he has his reasons...) This is definitely not what he expected a boy's sleepover talk to contain. While part of him doesn't know what to think of that, or how to participate in this conversation, the heart of him is becoming less on edge in this room for it.

With little to add, he falls quiet and listens. But when Kaworu catches Shinji trying to investigate cookie reactions, Shinji smiles back instead of darting away in embarrassment.

For being someone who has held a controller before, Shinji is hardly more graceful in any of the game's setup than anyone else. He chooses a psychic child -- no, not that one, the sad one -- without knowing why he feels drawn to the character.

"...With Asuka?" Shinji exhales as if all the residual fear still needs to leave his body. "As long as I don't see her with an axe again, I'll be fine..."

Orpheus, however, goes for the throat. Shinji's response is heated, immediate, and undoubtedly suspicious:

"It's not like that!"

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Olive oil? Yuta tilts his head slightly. "Yeah, there should be some there, in that cabinet to your left." A napkin from the snack table should work pretty well to dab with. Yuta's eye winks closed, and he nods. "Thanks, Orpheus. It's amazing you know about this." He's still as Orpheus tends to him, feeling safe. Orpheus has a nice energy about him, Yuta decides, being willing to help a stragner like this.

"Thanks, Kaworu." Yuta smiles shyly at the offer to help with makeup. Yuta opens his mouth to ask about Lilim again, but -- he fumbles the little makeup remover napkin, almost dropping it onto the couch. Catching it at the last moment, Yuta swaps it to his other eye. When he takes it off, the smudges are gone! Yuta grins at his reflection in the mirror, then up at Orpheus. "You know about makeup a little, at least. Do you like putting it on other people? That's kind of like art, right?"

You can find art almost anywhere... What a cool perspective! Yuta thinks it over, running through Tsutsujidai landscapes in his mind. This was a city created by someone, so would it count as art..? He decides to ask. "Since Tsutsujidai was created by a person, does that make it art?" ...by extension, would all the people inside be art? Maybe not himself, but definitely Rikka.

"Thanks, Shinji!" He has so much to be grateful for, with his friends! It feels warm to be praised for something he's so proud of. "The reasons I entered are kind of sad, but... There were these girls in my class who wanted to put on a cross-dressing event. But they died from a kaiju, and now nobody remembers them." Yuta aimlessly fusses with his control stick on the controller. "So I wanted to do it for them. So I went all out! Then I ended up having a really good time anyway." He smiles, softly. "I guess that's my reward for trying to do a good deed."

"The Second Child, that's Asuka, right? I've heard it mentioned a few times." He glances at Shinji, interest sparkling in his eyes. This was it, the beginning of the crown jewel of sleepover conversations! "I didn't know you guys were that close! You know, she has always seemed kinda interested in you, Shinji..."

After teasing Shinji a bit, Yuta glances back to the game. He really should just pick someone and get going! Clicking on whoever his cursor lands on, it looks like Yuta's chosen a shapeshifting prince. In one form, he's in his royal finery, and in the other.. he looks like kind of a ferocious warrior woman? This'll work.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        When Orpheus commits to helping Yuta clean off the last of that make-up, Kaworu smiles over at the two of them. Well... Thinking on it, perhaps he doesn't need help with make-up after all.
        
        "You're already such a beautiful man, though. You'd be even more beautiful if you used make-up to highlight your natural charms," he points out with zero sense of any self-consciousness. "I'm sure cosmetics are more of a practical concern for someone in your position, but if time is a concern, you needn't apply so much. A light touch is often best, anyway."
        
        So he says, and that's true enough, but applying foundation all on its own is a pretty time-consuming process. He does tilt his head in curiosity at Orpheus's vehement feelings against 'that woman.' Is she truly so fearsome to him?
        
        His smile turns rueful as Orpheus backs off on the matter of scolding him, though. It warms again at Yuta's shy thank-you. When Shinji wonders about him and make-up, there's a moment there, like there was with the cookie, and so he replies, "It's my hobby, along with music. I normally only have myself to practice on, so I was excited for the chance to help out with the pageant. Yuta had quite an ambitious vision for his make-up, so I spent most of my time there on him."
        
        Shinji explains it was mostly the axe. Kaworu nods. "Understandable," he says with sympathy. "She already has quite a violent temperament." As Orpheus cuts in, his smile turns rueful, as does Shinji's heated denial. "She is a girl, and you do have trouble with her. By definition, they would be girl troubles," he points out, maybe missing the point himself.
        
        From the other direction, Yuta comments on Asuka's interest in Shinji. Kaworu does a wonderful job of not outwardly reacting to this, though he does glance at him as he mentions the girls who died. "You honored them well," he says softly. As for Asuka: "She's become less prickly over the past couple months, hasn't she? I'd hoped that meant she was treating you better now too, Shinji."
        
        Once everyone picks their characters, the game initiates. Kaworu takes a few moments to acclimate himself to the controls. He's an unreasonably quick study, and while he shows mercy to Shinji, anyone else is fair game. Sorry, boys.

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"No, to be quite honest. . .I don't like the stuff. Make-up most of the time leaves a bad taste for me. It reminds me of some of the more arrogant women back home. Noble women will tend to flaunt it around on how good they look with it on, but most of the time it still doesn't cover up how arrogant and vile their personalities are." All of a sudden that calmer demeanor, the one that seemed like it was willing to help a stranger, was souring before Yuta's eyes. There's a small flickering of something in this young man's gaze that felt. . .Violent. Though just as quickly as it comes, it subsides, like a flickering fire.

His gaze does shift back to Yuta though knowing that he hasn't explained himself entirely, so he takes a small sip of his ginger ale before speaking. "I knew someone who had wanted to try it once. She didn't have access to make-up remover so our. . .Her neighbors showed us how to do it without it. Personally, I thought she looked nicer without it but she insisted. She'd never been able to try any on herself before though so I at least made the attempt to learn it."

That fire from before in his eyes still lingers as he speaks now, though it seems calmer. . .Warmer. Even as he listens to Yuta's reasoning for joining the pageant. For a normal person, the thought of them dying and no one recalling them would have been abnormal. There might have been disbelief, perhaps a bit of sorrow at the mention of death, but confusion at the notion of no one remembering them.

A hand begins to rest on Yuuta's shoulder. That look of his with an emerald gaze shines a moment as he speaks about his next words. "Even if no one else does, you have. More so, you carried on with their wishes when they couldn't. . .I'm sure that alone is enough to put them at rest. . ." His grip on Yuta's shoulder is tense for a moment. A thought of that girl comes to mind, and for a moment. . .A brief moment he almost speaks her name to the room. Almost as if bringing life to her again. But he stops himself.

He was invited to have fun with these two, and the thought of making any more mentions of death like that was surely going to leave a poor taste in these ones mouths. Perhaps this boy could empathize, Kaworu had already known, and he trusted Shinji. This assortment he felt like would have been fine to say her name to. . .But he refrains.

Instead, he takes Yuta's remarks to Shinji as speaks of Asuka's interest.

"I think I've seen that as well."

He knows that Kaworu will be displeased with his choice to continue speaking, but well. . .This oldest of the group does find himself about to leave them with some advice at the very least, even if he won't bring up where it comes from. "I recall while trying to find Kaworu at your school that I met her. Even if she doesn't, it might be best for you to clear the air. From what I recall. . .There were a few students in her class who seemed rather jealous that there might be someone she's fond of." Of course, this wasn't what he had seen from the sidelines at all, though he didn't need to stay at the time he was pretending to be Shinji when that all transpired. . .

"In fact, I think I should make this a more general remark. If any of you have words that need to be said. . .You should make sure they're heard." At that time it's Kaworu that he finds himself looking at. Just a moment of eye-contact between the two that were practically brothers before his gaze returns back to Yuta from the corner of his eye, "You never know if you might lose that opportunity. . ." It's clear he's still referencing Yuta's remarks from earlier, but there's something more to it. Just in the way that he says it, it feels like it just has more depth.

Oh, and there goes that mood he was trying to avoid ruining. It's fine he can fix this. He'll take a moment to work the controller before ultimately choosing one of the swordsman characters. One that seems to have a sword in one hand, a shield in the other, and just a bunch of other weapons that appear on his person.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Kaworu calls Orpheus beautiful, like it's nothing. Like it's fact. Shinji decides the twist his insides make at that are because this topic of make-up is so outside familiarity that it's making him uncomfortable with all the not knowing what to say or add. Guys wearing make-up seems so... unusual? But no one here thinks so. Besides, there is a prince-like aura to Orpheus. It's not like Shinji can argue with that...

Even if his opinions on make-up come from a place that sounds... frightening, almost.

Shinji goes wide eyed at Yuta's explanation. Deat, and then forgotten. He holds his tongue long enough to put it together himself, or at least a theory he knows he shouldn't ask after right now. Yuta didn't forget, and even something as embarrassing as that, he did. For them. With enthusiasm and ambition.

"...You're amazing, Hibiki." The words quietly slip out, more thought aloud than said.

Kaworu explains make-up is a hobby. Shinji ends up trying to imagine Kaworu wearing make-up and failing. "If you've studied it like piano, then you must be really good at it, Kaworu." He eyes Yuta a bit, trying to remember the smudges around his eyes. "...Now I wish I could have seen everything."

Shinji realizes he's called himself out with his reaction, if anything. Why...

"We live together," Shinji says with a small glower at the floor, as if this explains things in a normal way and doesn't make everything sound a hundred times worse. "Not -- not because of anything going on between us!" Oh, there it is, he noticed. But the panic dies out when Yuta mentions Asuka seemed interested: "... She did?" To Orpheus: "You did?"

The idea that anyone would be jealous of him is staggering. But that would only be true if Asuka did like him. Could she...? Beyond tolerating him? She did demand he take her somewhere before...

Kaworu makes his observation on Asuka's change in demeanor. "She can be nice, when she's not angry. And... I know there's a lot to be angry about." Him, usually. So there's an inclination to forgive her for that.

He frowns. It deepens along with his furrowing brow. "I don't know about words that need to be said, though. I don't know what I'd say..."

Shinji tucks his knees up under his chin, arms around his legs to hold his control, as if such a posture could protect him from this conversation.

How does Shinji feel about Asuka...? She's not a warm person, but sometimes her heat cools to something approximating it. Whenever she enters the room his focus gets caught up in her, her presence demanding his attention. Every sense heightens, and his pulse goes quick. He's not stupid. He knows what that means. (Does he...)

While Shinji can awaken to a slight competitive streak, it makes his play worse, not better. And everyone is picking on him about his love life. It'll only be by grace of Kaworu that he doesn't get completely bodied.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

"Agreed! You're very beautiful, Orpheus." Yuta says, without guile. "But you get to choose, of course."

Yuta pulls out his phone, navigating to the pictures he'd showed Kaworu for makeup inspiration. He offers the phone to Orpheus, and Shinji, if he's curious too. "Kaworu is really incredible. He made all of these work on my face. I should've taken some selfies." Oh well, maybe Orpheus and Shinji will see a recording sometime.

One of Shinji's cookies hangs out of Yuta's mouth as he keeps his hands on the controller. "Mm. Shinji, these are great!" He crunches the cookie down, then glances at Orpheus. "You know real nobles? It's kinda strange to me that sort of thing really exists. It's like a movie, but... here it is in real life!" Yuta's shoulders hunch up a bit as Orpheus' gaze turns violent for a moment. Notably, he doesn't look away. There's a confidence in Yuta's own eyes that isn't easily quelled.

The moment of flickering, worrisome demeanor is entirely forgotten when Orpheus describes helping someone with her makeup. "I think it's really cool you were willing to help out. Was she your sister or something?" Another cookie disappears into Yuta's mouth. "I bet you did a great job." He says, between bites.

Blue eyes blink, and then soften. Orpheus really is a kind person, talking about the lost volleyball club girls that way. "Thank you. That really means a lot to me." Is there a heaven for Repli-Compoids? The thought makes Yuta's face go very serious for a moment. "...I hope they're happy, wherever they are now." Wishing for a moment of extra comfort, Yuta places his hand on top of Orpheus', just for a second.

Another gentle flush appears on Yuta's face when Shinji praises him. "O--oh. Thanks! I don't want to make myself sound like a hero or anything. It was just the right thing to do. I think Leina recorded the pageant, if you want to see our routines. Rikka was there, too! She was really incredible. She sang this song, and it was like her voice was the whole world. I couldn't think of anything else but how beautiful sh -- um, it was."

The game begins! Yuta's character ambles back and forth slowly as he tilts the control stick. "Okay, that's how you move. What do these other buttons do?" Yuta presses each button once, slowly. He's pretty much a sitting duck! One of his abilities seems to be launching a fireball of some kind, and it crashes into Shinji. "Oh -- sorry, Shinji! I'm trying to figure this out still!"

"Asuka is really pretty. With long hair like that -- oh! Kaworu, that's mean!" Yuta laughs as Kaworu sends his character flying, only to flop down against the ground in an undignified heap. "She's a little intimidating, and -- loud, sometimes. But I think she's a good person. Asuka's come to our aid whenever we've called. I noticed, sometimes when that glasses girl flops on you? Asuka looks mad." Yuta presses his buttons a little harder, hoping it would empower his attacks! "I think she might be jealous."

Words that need to be said. Yuta's thoughts jump to Rikka. "Is it always the right choice to tell someone, when you, uh." A moment pauses, Yuta's eyes fixated on the screen. His prince chases after Kaworu, attacks mostly hitting air. "Like someone? I don't want to mess stuff up, or make her uncomfortable." Shinji looks a little overwhelmed. Maybe it's time to take the pressure off him? "There's someone I really like, but whenever I try things I read are fool-proof, nothing works."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        "I see... If you associate bad things with it, then that can't be helped," Kaworu says sympathetically, but not without disappointment, seeing the way Orpheus's expression twists. "I am sorry to hear that, though."
        
        His gaze lingers on Orpheus as the blonde rests a hand on Yuta's shoulder, an intensity to his air that might seem out of place for the social gathering. But none of them are used to this, are they? And... Kaworu knows well the name that he leaves unsaid. He doesn't speak it, either. Some things are best kept in one's heart.
        
        But there's also a pleasure in being seen--in the reference photos Yuta shares, in his praise for the artistry Kaworu performed on his face. (In honoring those who Akane chose to delete from her world, though Kaworu does not say this.) "Several people took pictures and videos. If you want to see it, I'm sure it could be arranged," he offers Shinji. Yuta confirms that someone named Leina handled that, and he nods his way--though he gives him a curious look as he starts gushing about Rikka.
        
        If Kaworu is displeased with Orpheus bringing up things he technically experienced while masquerading as Shinji, he keeps that in his heart, too. As Orpheus meets his eye, though, he smiles slightly. Ah, how contradictory Lilim are... but that, too, is part of their charm.
        
        "Is that based on your own experience with love, Orpheus?" he says aloud, the edges of his lips still crinkled with a faint smile. "If you have any advice on that mark, I'm sure it would be appreciated." While there's a touch of teasing, there's no ill intent there. Euliya was a wonderful person... Wouldn't it be better to cherish those memories by sharing what he learned from them?
        
        Whether Orpheus feels the same is another matter, but... For the moment, Kaworu gazes at Shinji as he works through his feelings about Asuka. Despite not looking at the screen, he still does unreasonably well, and after a while he does take towards defending his dearest friend. Yuta calls him mean good-naturedly, and he simply laughs good-naturedly back as his character backsteps out of the way of Yuta's prince's attacks, then counters with a forward thrust attack that might just send him flying. The gameplay gives him a reason not to comment on Asuka's beauty and/or personality, at least.
        
        But then Yuta wonders about telling someone you like them, and Kaworu glances his way. It's an opportunity for Yuta to strike. "I couldn't say," he murmurs. "It's good to be honest with how you feel, but I understand your desire not to make the one you like uncomfortable. If you care for someone, it's only natural to wish for their happiness." He looks back at the screen. "...Whether that happiness is with you or not."
        
        ...Maybe Orpheus could stand to give romance advice to several people here. Not that Kaworu's about to follow any, all considered.

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"That's definitely rare to hear someone call me beautiful over handsome. . .But thanks." At first his tone is definitely trying to feel out the compliment, but he takes the remark in stride as he feels the sincerity in Yuta's voice. He does take the moment to look at the picture but not much else about it.

"Not personally. I know more of them if that makes sense? As for appearing in movies, I think for your sense of wonder it's better you keep it that way. Most Britannians well. . . " He doesn't want to say they're more racist than he is, but well. . .How does he describe it. "They're not exactly the type that go out of their way to make friends."

As things turn towards that girl again he finds himself being asked that question. "No, I don't have a sis--" Okay, well that wasn't true either. Even if he's never met her properly. He does have a sister. Someone who on occasion does come to mind. A true noble. Someone that Yuta would have likely wanted to meet. Though, that's a thought he'll stomach down for another time. When it's proper. Orpheus clears his throat as he looks to make something up. Only for Yuta to do something he wasn't expecting of the young man. The hand on the red-head's shoulder is held, and well. . .It actually leaves the Noble-natured Britannian of the group a bit speechless. Another long sigh escapes his lips as he feels himself being forced to speak. "You're really trying to drag this out of me, aren't you? To put it simply. . .She's someone that meant more than life itself to me. I also hope she's happy. Also, watch out. . ."

Before any more interpretation can be read into his words, Yuta's character gets a surprise attack from above as it looks like there's a downward stabbing blade motion coming from Orpheus' character. It seemed he was slowly picking up how this worked. Or at least he was learning to button mash a controller.

For a few minutes now, he just keeps to himself as the others discuss things till Asuka comes up to which all that comes to mind is, "I have noticed the violence myself, though I haven't spoken to her enough to say more on the matter, unfortunately not able to give much on the thought for Shinji, if he himself wasn't sure of his own feelings. Sorry friend." That's all he can really mention pertaining to more of her attitude. At least for now that is.

Again, Orpheus just continues to play till it's Kaworu that asks of his experiences which gets the young man a bit of a stare. "You too?" Another long sigh comes as he switches targets attempting to throw a boomerang at Kaworu's character from a distance this time before he speaks up again. Though surprising. . .

"You can say that." He does give an honest answer, or as much of one as he can manage before Yuta brings up his own love conundrum.

"Love's like a battlefield." The nuance of that phrase alone should already resonate with these young men, even if they don't know that Orpheus is well aware of what a battlefield is like. "No two battles are exactly the same. However. . .There are some things that stay the same. For one, there are no guarantees. Whether you choose to leave things as they are, or advance forward there's a chance you might find yourself getting hurt.If you decide to tell them, there's a chance they can shoot you down. Though, if you choose to leave things as you are, doesn't that leave that person open for someone else? Would you be okay if that happened before you had the chance to say your piece?"

At this point the swordsman character attempts to grapple with Yuta's character. Pinning the character in place as he continues to start piling on a bit of damage.

"You seem like a smart person, Yuta, there's no one right answer for these things. All I know is that if I had waited as long as I had to say what I needed to say, it's possible that I might never have had a chance. And while. . .I have regrets. That was never one of them." At this point he finds his character's grip breaking free before he attempts to get out of reach of a counter though he quickly finds his character getting hit by someone else's as he's forced to respawn. "Tch. . .How do you make those bubble shields?"

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Yuta calls Orpheus beautiful, too. There's no twist that time. He's getting more comfortable already. Sleepovers aren't so difficult.

Kaworu, as always, handles something that could be terrifying smoothly. But even if there was a... violence to Orpheus' look, there's that gentleness in the way Orpheus is with Yuta. It outweighs it for now... and it's not like Shinji is a stranger to frustration. Nobles must have their own troubles, too... And Britannia as a whole... Shinji knows there's a lot he doesn't know.

Shinji does look at the phone, trying to imagine Yuta combined with the pictures, and imagining Kaworu's hand making the connection between the two. "Wow..." He glances to Kaworu. "As long as Hibiki doesn't mind." It is still unbelievable to Shinji that Yuta does not. Yuta gushes and Orpheus has someone who means the world to him, but Shinji's too caught up in himself to think to use any of this to defend himself.

The talk of death is heavy. But... "...Somewhere peaceful..." is all Shinji can think to murmur, barely audible in echoing what the nurse at the hospital had said. Could that really be true...? It's too terrifying to imagine it for too long. Shinji would rather not have anyone find out.

Shinji's smile is shy with the praise for his cookies. Not only that it's appreciated, but it passes without further comment. But anyone who would complain about cooking and make-up is demonstratively not here tonight. And yet, in its place, is a far more terrifying thing to be on guard about. His character takes a stray fireball and all Shinji can do is strangle out a sound and struggle to get any control of the situation.

No, not that -- whether or not Asuka is pretty. "I guess," Shinji says, more to avoid being INCRIMINATING than genuine uncertainty. He imagines Asuka would want to swing an axe at him either way. And he does think Asuka is a good person though, under it all... It's just... a lot to dig through.

Jealousy is news to him. Over Mari?! "Wh-what? It's not like I want her to...!"

But Yuta likes someone and says it. Yuta Hibiki truly is amazing. That's a sort of power Shinji can barely comprehend. Kaworu speaks of wanting someone's happiness... Shinji goes quiet again. That sounds like what love should be.

If Orpheus has experience... Shinji does not follow up Kaworu's prompt to share it with words, but after losing his last life from a failed attempt to get back on stage (you picked the wrong character to learn that with, Shinji), he's abandoned the game. He straightens up, looking to Orpheus expectantly. Not unlike, perhaps, a puppy -- and don't let Mari find out about that (as if Mari doesn't know exactly what she's doing at all hours).

A battlefield. Shinji tenses. "...Getting hurt either way, huh...?"

How do you make those bubble shields?

Shinji holds up his control to demonstrate, but his voice has wilted terribly quiet, like the whole suggestion might be obtrusive. "The button on the side..."

Learning how to guard himself was the first thing Shinji figured out while playing.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Is Orpheus a love expert? Yuta glances over at him. Well, he's very pretty, like Kaworu said. Maybe that makes him popular with girls? "Yeah, I'd be grateful for advice!"

"If you'd like to see, Ikari, of course! I'll text Leina and ask for the videos. I just don't want to seem like a showoff or something." Yuta smiles a little ruefully. "But I really am proud of how it went. I'd be grateful to have my friends' opinions."

"The Britannians seemed pretty nice at the pageant yesterday. I guess they could've been on their best behavior, though?" Yuta thinks it over. The girl hiding by herself backstage comes to mind. Though, she seemed more scared than arrogant... "I'll keep your warning in mind, if I ever meet any. But, sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable --woah!"

Yuta's character is cruelly stabbed! He tries to launch a counterattack at Orpheus' swordsman, a blue forcefield swirling around Yuta's prince for a moment. Is that even going to do any damage..? "Love is a battlefield..." Yuta says, thoughtfully. "I think I get it. In battles, I've always had more luck attacking fast and always moving forward. If that's true for love, too, then I should do something, right? I'm glad you were able to say what you wanted to your special person." Yuta glances to the side with a smile.

Kaworu did say he'd never played this game before, right? Watching the other boy's character dance around his attacks and strikes back with perfect precision. The way Yuta's poor character goes flying is just so comical, he really should feel bad, but he can't help but laugh. The prince lands in another heap, only to be grappled by Orpheus. "How'd you even do that?" Yuta asks, laughing. Yuta's poor character is really racking up the damage, his percent way above 100 now.

Yuta shrugs at Shinji, a little helplessly. "Something about you really seems to attract girls' attention! -- ooh, sorry, looks like you're out! I don't think I'll be far behind you." Yuta's character is down to his last life, too.

After some fumbling, Yuta manages to press the combination to transform his prince into the masked warrior. "Alright, this one's gonna be stronger for sure!" This time, Yuta angles an attack at Orpheus! A chain-like whip shoots out from the warrior's hands and.. flops on the ground. Yuta flails his control stick and the whip flails uselessly in turn. Oh no.

But -- ah ha, Kaworu is distracted! Yuta runs over and jumps into the air, coming down with a familiar-looking kick! But what Kaworu's actually saying is important. "Yeah. That's how I feel, too! It'd be really great if she felt the same way, but it's way more important that she's happy. I asked her on a date one time, but she thought we were just hanging out as friends. But she still had fun, and that's what matters!"

Since he's opened up about himself a little, Yuta feels justified in poking at Kaworu and Orpheus' love lives. "Hey, what about you two, Kaworu, Orpheus? Do you like anyone?" Yuta's tongue sticks out of his mouth juust a bit as he runs his character away from Kaworu's. Alas, his efforts are in vain, as Yuta's prince goes flying for one last round. He even splats against the front of the screen. "Ooh. That's it for me. Now for a fateful battle between the pros!"

Standing, Yuta grabs the popcorn bowl and takes a floor on the seat next to Shinji. He holds the bowl between them both, a silent offering, as he watches Kaworu and Orpheus fight it out. "I think it's okay to tell those girls to stop if you don't want to be touched." Yuta offers, gently. "I don't want them to make you uncomfortable or anything. If you need help, I'll back you up."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        "'Handsome' carries the same meaning as 'beautiful.' It simply has a connotation of being a specific gender," Kaworu notes. "Such distinctions seem rather meaningless to me, though I do understand that Lilim are quite taken with them."
        
        There's that word again. Shinji and Orpheus may be familiar with it, having known Kaworu for some time now; whether Yuta gets a chance to ask about it again, it might give him a little more intuition into its meaning.
        
        Not that he could guess the true context of it. But that's not something most people could reasonably guess.
        
        His crooked smile quirks a little broader when Orpheus grumps at him. Still, he does appreciate him sharing his perspective, for Shinji and now Yuta's sakes. It's an interesting perspective to him as well. Love is like a battlefield... He glances at Shinji. Is that why...?
        
        That aside, he lets Yuta share with Shinji, smiling at both of them. He still doesn't weigh in on the talk of death, but watching Shinji's expression, he might guess that he's thinking of Kikuho Eir. But he keeps silent on that too as he battles on.
        
        Unfortunately, he can only defend Shinji so far. Before long, his character is ejected from battle. Yuta follows soon after. He faces off against Orpheus with his silvery princess, floating from island to island as he/she picks up items and raises barriers of their own. How is he doing it? "It seems rather intuitive to me," Kaworu, Angel uber-hacker, says with a shrug.
        
        "It's reasonable to think that the one you care for won't know how you feel unless you tell them," he adds as Yuta mulls through his own feelings. "Whether that's good or bad or neutral is up to individual circumstance." He smiles in hapless empathy as Yuta describes asking his crush out on a date only for them not to realize it was a date. One-sided love truly does hurt, doesn't it? But... he's sure in time that Yuta will let go of his feelings and let Rikka go to Akane. Kaworu only hopes that Yuta finds his peace in that.
        
        It's hypocritical. He knows it. But even so, he glances at Shinji and, with a pleasantly neutral tone and expression, says, "If you have romantic feelings for Asuka Shikinami Langley, you should tell her, Shinji. She's not very honest with her own feelings, so perhaps being sincere about your own will balance her out?"
        
        He supposes, anyway. He doesn't understand her and has no desire to, but Alouette fared quite badly with a more aggressive, prickly approach.
        
        That aside, though... does he like anyone?
        
        "...Yes," Kaworu says quietly. Because it's one thing to not say what's in your heart, and another to lie about it.
        
        He could never lie about this.

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"There's another button back there?" As Shinji takes the time to come over and show him, he starts applying the move immediately. Yuta's character starts using the blue force field and surprisingly it ends up blocking in time. . . "Thanks." A small gesture is given to Shinji as he tries to focus on the game again, though it seems talking and gaming is the theme of the night. Is this how sleepover games are supposed to work? "It's fine. On both accounts. Though more than likely you need to keep it in mind. It'll be rather. . .Apparent." He sees the stab give purchase on the attack and continues nodding along as Yuta makes the connection. "I'd tell you it can't hurt, but then I'd be contradicting myself." There's a bit of a sly grin as his gaze returns back to Yuta. "All I can say is, if you have to wait. . .Resolve yourself for a time that you'll do it and no later."

Orpheus is no love expert. He might look like Prince Charming, but at the end of the day, he's just simply been in love. . .And lost it. So his words come from a much more sincere place than one might have gotten from him usually. To hope that these young men are able to find a happiness in their life that they can hold onto. So they don't hold a regret that makes their chests burn. At the end of the day, he just doesn't want to set them up for failure. . .

"There's another side bumper button on the corner near the shield button apparently. Yeah, like that- - Huh, yours doesn't have the grapple-hook grab."

As he continues to play through the match getting the shield prepared again this time he finds himself holding it down for a while as it gets smaller and smaller, even as the wire's only flipping along the floor till. "W-Why can't I move? What's going on? The controller break?" Not like he'd know better about the game mechanics.

Though this break does give him time to at least try speaking up again as the conversation continues. There's a bit of a concerned look on Orpheus' face when he hears about that date. He tries to recover his expression quickly before speaking up, "Yuta, it's good that you're trying to get advice though. . .Maybe you should learn from your enemy." Another battlefield quip comes to pass and with it no elaboration. In fact, before he realizes it is the 'Pros' left.

Pro? Is that what they're calling this? He's pretty sure he's just been avoiding aggro for the most part. Yuta and Kaworu had been fighting, and on occasion he had just ended up poking them. Shinji didn't seem to hit him, and before he had realized it Shinji had been defeated too. As far as he was concerned. . . This was just a game of chance that he'd been winning. At least. . .Until he tries to contest Kaworu, at which point his character gets slapped as one of the items gets flung his way. The accumulated damage built up enough where any hit is lethal and before they all know it. . .They watch as Orpheus' swordsman splatters on the face of the screen for a close-up of him before the game is set.

"Well, that was something. . .Anyway, to answer your question."

Yuta asks one more grueling question, to which Orpheus finds himself silent for a moment. "I do. . .And that's why, like those girls you mentioned I wanna make sure to do right by her. " At this point he looks at Kaworu with a knowing look before he puts down the controller. "Alright, I think that's enough games for now. If anyone wants to start up the movies, I'll get those sleeping bags ready."

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Shinji has, at this point, come to simply let Kaworu's talk of Lilim be. It's odd that Kaworu uses what Shinji's learned is a word for humans like Kaworu himself isn't included, but Kaworu is odd. And the more Shinji gets to know him, the more Shinji thinks Kaworu might not feel like he belongs with other people. ...Sleepovers might be important for Kaworu, Shinji thinks.

Something about you really seems to attract girls' attention!

"I think they just like teasing me..." Shinji mumbles. He almost never fails to react, that's for sure.

Shinji relaxes some with Yuta beside him offering popcorn, and accepts the snack as they watch Kaworu and Orpheus continue the fight. He seems startled by the question -- mostly because Yuta noticed his discomfort at all.

"It's not a big deal," Shinji decides. "I don't really mind." This is not the complete truth, but nor is it something that causes Shinji intense distress. Usually. Touch can be a lot. But it isn't always bad, either.

Where Kaworu had never made his attack on Shinji in the game, he makes it now that it's over. Something about it being put so bluntly and upfront makes Shinji feel almost scolded. Not by Kaworu, exactly, but by some law of the universe Kaworu has merely pointed out.

"Maybe," is all Shinji can promise. But this is, in fact, a great deal of a promise coming from Shinji. No seeking plausible deniability. No rejecting the idea outright. A suggestion that will become a part of that dangerous pastime of thinking. Should he ask Asuka out...? Maybe she brushes him off for being Baka Shinji and that's it -- he's too average, and she's everything. Maybe she finds a door to slam in his face. Or maybe she says yes. Orpheus is right. All of these options are terrifying.

But maybe he and Asuka don't go anywhere from where they are if he doesn't. Resolve himself to a time, and no latter. ... That almost makes it sound doable. Orpheus says all this while liking someone, too. It isn't something he's saying from untouchable on high. Now it's even harder to dismiss.

Kaworu admits he also likes someone, and Shinji looks toward him, mouth half open, but no words coming out, the idea of the game completely gone. Who? he wants to ask in impulsively desperate curiosity that's seized hold, but goes still instead. If Kaworu wanted him to know, Kaworu would have said, and the quiet way he answers it is touched with sadness.

It stings in a strange way. Kaworu and all his talk of happiness, and wanting the person one loves to be happy... If Kaworu has feelings for someone, it sounds too much like Kaworu's letting his own happiness become a distant concept again. Not a 'lilim' like the rest of them. On the sidelines...

"...I don't think there's any girl who would say no to you, Kaworu."

It is after this woefully misguided attempt to return Kaworu's encouragement that plans begins to shift. "Oh, ah, all right." Shinji gets up, tidying a little to keep the mess manageable before settling in to begin the movie portion of their evening.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

There's that word again. "Lilim..." Yuta mumbles, through a mouthful of popcorn. Yuta leans his head against the couch, looking up at Kaworu as he finishes chewing. "Is it a kind of person? A person that cares about genders?"

Yuta listens to Orpheus' advice. "It doesn't seem like the most romantic time, right now, with the way Akane is acting. But... like you guys said, maybe there isn't an ideal moment. Maybe you need to just go for it." Yuta stands up, going to grab a bottle of that marble-soda. He settles back down next to Shinji to watch the game progress.

It's amazing watching Kaworu play. He could win a competition with skills like this, for sure! Assuming anyone else in the Earthsphere cares about this dusty old game. Yuta cheers on Kaworu and Orpheus both in equal measure. It doesn't really matter who wins, anyway, just that everyone's had a good time! Huh, thinking about it that way sounds like Kaworu's romantic advice.

"If you're sure, Ikari." Yuta gives him a smile. "If you ever change your mind, we've got your back." Bumping his shoulder against Shinji's in a gentle, friendly gesture, Yuta asks: "Is stuff like that okay? I want to make sure I don't make you uncomfortable with my own stuff. Sometimes I'll put my arm around Utsumi, or do a fist bump... How do you feel about that kind of thing?"

"Ooh, Kaworu, he's stuck!" Yuta laughs, pointing to the screen. "Now's your moment!"

Glancing up again, this time he looks to Orpheus. "My enemy? Do I have an enemy?" Yuta takes a swig of his soda, the marble cheerfully rattling around. "Ooh... good fight, you guys! Congrats, Kaworu!" The victory screen blasts onto the TV, the announcer shouting Kaworu's character's name. "That was pretty fun. I get why people like video games!"

Nodding at Orpheus' suggestion, Yuta gathers up the controllers and switches off the game console. He carefully sets them all to the side, then fans out the movie options in front of the TV. "We've got superhero stuff, funny stuff, romantic stuff..."

"Oh, Orpheus, that's great!" Glancing back at the other young man, Yuta gives him a thumbs up. "The way you talk about it makes you sound like a real princely type. I'm sure I don't have any advice that you don't already know, but we'd love to hear about it if you want to talk about her more." As Orpheus gets the sleeping bags ready, Yuta goes to pop another bag of popcorn. That's the iconic movie snack, after all.

Kaworu likes someone too! Yuta perks up, midway through another handful of popcorn. "Ooh!" Yuta intones, in a pleasantly-teasing manner. "For someone to have caught Kaworu's eye, they must be really incredible! I'm sure they must feel the same way about you. You're so cool, and beautiful! Talented, too." Really, does Kaworu have any flaws..? Yuta considers this. "I can't imagine you need any advice, but if you want to talk about it, we're all here."

Once the movie is selected, Yuta fumbles with the remote to get it playing. Popcorn is passed around, and Yuta settles into his sleeping bag. It feels like a novel experience to sit on the floor in a sleeping bag with everyone. The boys are sure to be up through the night, either watching movies or chatting more. No matter what happens, it's going to be a memory Yuta treasures. What an amazing weekend..!

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Whether Shinji takes the advice of his peers or not is up to him, in the end. Kaworu wishes for his happiness, but... he can't say he's that eager to see him run into the Second's arms, however that would make Shinji himself feel.
        
        It's selfish of him, he knows. As selfish as the attention he pays to Yuta asking Shinji about his preferences on personal space. But surely this much selfishness is allowed?
        
        Kaworu's character breaks Orpheus's, as the title of the game suggests, and her name is declared the winner. He smiles at the victory and the encouragement he's received, and sets down the controller. "That was fun. The rudimentary programming on these older systems has its own sort of charm." He smiles broadly at his companions. "I'm glad we had the chance to play."
        
        Yuta tries to guess at the meaning of Lilim. Kaworu takes pity and replies, "It's a broad term for the lifeforms of Earth, but colloquially it refers to human beings. You can think of its use as an idiosyncrasy of mine." (It's not not true...)
        
        Orpheus gives his own question to who he likes. Kaworu shares that knowing look with him. He has no intention of moving on, hm...? Perhaps that's why they're still close even now. Kaworu's much the same.
        
        Case in point: it's a perversely good feeling when Shinji gawks at his admission of having someone he likes. It's a look of wanting to know, even if he ultimately doesn't ask. And when he does speak...
        
        'I don't think there's any girl who'd say no to you.'
        
        Kaworu breaks into a grin and laughs quietly. For some reason, despite the depth of Shinji's misunderstanding, coming from him, it makes him feel better. He can't quite put his finger on why. He accepts it all the same. "Thank you," he says sincerely. Yuta's compliments are equally well-meant, and Kaworu maintains his smile, but... "Perhaps another time. Shall we decide on a movie for now?"
        
        Yuta's certainly right: this night will be a precious memory.

<Pose Tracker> Shinji Ikari has posed.

Shinji blinks as Yuta asks permission about these sorts of interactions. The asking by itself is... comforting. How strange. Yuta is so straightforward in everything. It's... really very enviable. "Stuff like that is okay," he assures, smiling this time.

Among friends, it's not so bad at all.

As they get settled for the movie, Shinji watches Kaworu more than any opening credits, wondering who it is who really could have caught his attention...

<Pose Tracker> Orpheus Zevon has posed.

"It's definitely not something we had the luxury to do before. . ." It's the first words to come from Orpheus's lips as Kaworu talks about having 'fun'. Thinking back on their history at this point, it almost brings a small smile to his face. In fact, it was surprising to say but all of this seemed to bring some level of a smile to be expressed in this moment. "Yeah, this turned out to be a better idea than I had hoped. . .Yuta."

His attention cuts from the game and Kaworu as he looks back at the red-headed young man, "Thanks. . .I'm sure it's easy to say that it's fine to invite someone over because they're a friend of a friend. Though, in practice. . . Inviting a stranger into your home. . . It's rather rare. And not something you should do often. . ." At least in his experience. It was something that usually took time and trust. Something that even now went to show just how much the young man clearly must have trusted Kaworu, and for that reason. . .Orpheus does something uncharacteristic of a Britannia, especially for someone of Japanese origin. He lowers his head in a humble bow. It's nothing like a full on one, but more of. . .A nod of acknowledgement if anything. He puts up his controller before getting back over to the drinks, this time getting himself enough ginger ale as he watches the three of them start preparing the movie.

It's at that moment he finds a few words slipping from his lips. "I wonder how they do it. . .?" A question he asks himself when he thinks on the matter of. . .How can these kids enjoy such a life with the burden they bear? It was funny, there were three. . .Or perhaps proper to say two young men, who were raised like anyone else. Lived an honest enough life. . .And then when brought to the point of having to fight Kaiju, fight Angels, fight. . .A God? They were still able to return back to a life like this. Here they were thinking that Orpheus was probably just the ordinary one of the group, all of them knowing that the other three were pilots. Yet with the exception of one. . .Had more experience than the other two combined.

Even now, he can't fathom being able to return to such a life like this after those kinds of experiences. Or rather, he can't really imagine a life for himself like this after having lost something similar once. Still, for the meanwhile. . . "If you're all planning to set up the movies, all I ask is that if there's any action or mech that it's not too staged. I imagine it'll be hard to stay immersed otherwise. . ." It's the last major thing he found himself saying before giving into the flow of the conversation and the night. From there on in, he simply went with the vibes of the night. When it came to the movies, he'd ask Yuta about the choices he picked out, when it came to watching them, he'd inquire on Kaworu's thoughts on the music used, and before the end of the night. . .He made mention to Shinji of how nice his treats were, even going as far as asking for the recipe. Indeed. . .It was surely a precious night, that would have precious memories.

Yes, it would be a precious night. . .But a long night as well. The night had been young when they had started. Young and innocent, just like the young men that had assembled. Though, eventually darkness came as the night aged. As the festivities ended, true darkness swept over the city and many were preparing to sleep. At least, they should have been. Looking towards where the sleeping bags had been set up, it had been clear that at least Kaworu and Shinji had stepped away somewhere. Maybe they had stepped into another room to talk, or outside to watch the stars? Yuta, looking as though he had already fallen asleep at this late hour.

His sleeping bag is properly stuffed at this point. It was likely not going to be enough to fool both of them. But, it only needed to make the one that would have asked questions assume he was simply snug in his bed. It's at this time that Orpheus finally reached back for the bag he had brought in at the beginning of the night. He slowly opened up the main zipper as he made his way out the back entrance.

It was time for him to prepare for the true reason that he arrived at this sleepover. A secured way to get through to Tsutsujidai without the use of space travel. A chance to come through when no Blocs were dipping their toes in. It was going to be the only opportunity he was sure to have to complete his objective. He opens the door though as he's about to step back, he looks back to where the others would be sleeping. "Yuta...Thank you, this was...Kind. It's like I said before, you shouldn't let strangers into your home..." As he says those words into the silent air, he opens the bag thoroughly as he pulls out its contents. The first thing to come out is that of a fully-loaded pistol with its holster already prepared. He looks over the weapon one last time in the darkness of the house, solely illuminated by the star-like lights Yuta had prepared prior. Checking the ammunition one final time before holstering it again. Next comes out a tactical knife. He unsheathes the blade checking the blade before re-sheathing it just as quickly before concealing it on his person.

Finally, he pulls out the map of Tsutsujidai. It's shoddy work at best acquired from what intel he had. It's also the only map he has after he had concluded that saving the contents on his phone in this place was too risky a chance. He didn't even know if his phone would work here, and if it did. . .Was it secure from the eyes of those who would pry? For his purposes though it would do. As he slowly began scanning that map his eyes slowly scanned over it, already taking note of the path he had drawn out the night before. Ultimately, that line brought him to the street he needed to go. On that street was where his target was. . .

The street Junk Shop Aya rests upon. . .

And the house beside it, had the X marked through.