2022-02-11: The Most Unpleasant Person
- Log: 2-11-22 The Most Unpleasant Person
- Cast: Asuka Shikinami Langley, Kaworu Nagisa. (Radio: Asuka Shikinami Langley, Shinji Ikari, Kaworu Nagisa, Yoko Nakashima, Eisen Daiwel)
- Where: NERV HQ, Tokyo-3
- OOC - IC Date: February 11, 0096
- Summary: Asuka prompts a discussion on NERV radio lines about Unit-04, which turns into an argument with Yoko about how she talks to other people. It reaches the point where Kaworu needs to call her into his office.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> So what's the deal anyway with the hasty transfer of Unit-04? Given what almost happened in Britannia isn't this a little like accepting an armed N2 mine?
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Wait, what happened in Britannia?
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> What you didn't hear? Supposedly some test of Unit-04 almost resulted in a problem that they said could have caused the destruction of the whole Britannian Branch but... then it was halted? And transferred to us? It sounds a lot like we're cleaning up their mess and assuming a lot of risk.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> What?! The whole branch?
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> That's what they're saying. And now that Eva is /here/ on base.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> I mean what could even do that? The Russian one with all the rockets was scary enough.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> An N2 mine could do that, maybe. I don't know if that branch is in a Geofront like us.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> It always freaks me out, that little smile Misato gets when they let her use a bunch of those things.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "It isn't."
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> What are you stupid? I doubt she has the authority on her own. She probably has to go through like ten different federation channels and the ultimate authorization isn't likely up to her.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> That's why I said let, gosh.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Have you been, Kaworu?
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> On the surface then. So what do you think it was, Fifth String?
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says to Shinji, "I haven't, but I'm familiar with the general layout of that branch." To Asuka, "It's quite a mystery, isn't it?"
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> A mystery? Tch. More like a mess. Should have figured Britannia's NERV couldn't hack it. So now it's probably up to Dr. Akagi to clean up whatever weapon they were testing.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa laughs a little. "Probably so."
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Let's hope it's not a bedside manner issue then...
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Anyway if I had something that was unstable, putting it around, what, four active AT Field generators sounds like a good plan.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> Who cares about bedside manner!? She's the best in her field.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> It's an important part of the healing process. WebMD says so.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> 'WebMD says so'" She mimics, "What are you stupid? Would you rather trust your life to a nice doctor or the best doctor? I'd sure rather have Dr. Akagi taking care of the problem than someone whose best quality is 'works well with others'.
[T-NRV] * Yoko Nakashima seems to be staring at her comms unit. "...Are you using WebMD... for explosives incidents?"
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari immediately tenses up because a Grown Up's on the line, "uh, n-no ma'am, just home care. Cuts, burns."
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> a-anyway dr. akagi's fine i just. it's stupid.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Who do you think the new pilot is?
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> Well if it isn't Ultra Fangirl." Before going Shinji's way, "Maybe there's not one yet, would you want to assign one to an Eva that's a ticking time bomb?
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> So the Angel attacked a Unit we're just going to keep in the garage?
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa hmmms quietly.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> Oh so you suddenly know how Angels think? Even if it was there after an Eva it was probably sensing ... ... Z2 instead.
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley sounds supremely unhappy about the 'Z2' designation.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> How do YOU know that? ...though I guess it could've been both.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "Unit-04 has a designated pilot. I imagine she'll introduce herself at her own pace. She's that type of person."
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Shikinami, is it standard AEU protocol to constantly berate your fellow pilots?
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> I don't of course, I'm not claiming to know how an Angel thinks! And... what? Already!?
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Man Kaworu you really dig the mysterious vibe huh. ...kind of sounds like she's been around a while.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Or does hazing in NERV just never end?
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says to Asuka, "Yes." To Shinji, "Hm? Hmm. In a manner of speaking." To Yoko, he chuckles dryly. "It's simply the Second's nature to be hostile."
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley just falls into a grim silence for a while, then says dangerously to Yoko, "No. It is not. I don't think you'd prefer their actual 'standard protocol' - Ultra Fangirl."
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley then returns to discussing her, "Tch. Well whatever. I assume that means she's Britannian then?"
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari distantly, "People cope in different ways, ma'am." Shinji then barks a laugh at Kaworu admitting it. It really is a bark, like his throat isn't used to it. "You think? Maybe she's from the Southwest, that's where the branch is, right? Grand canyon and everything?"
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa chuckles. "No, Britannia has a different pilot. This one was previously stationed at, I believe, Bethany Base in the AEU."
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley sounds genuinely shocked, "/What/?"
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "She's... how to put it... a thrill-seeker. I imagine that's part of why she was assigned to Unit-04."
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> I didn't know we assigned Evas based on astrology charts.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> But they... tch. Whatever. I'm sure she must be nothing to write home about it if they're assigning her to a defective Eva.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa laughs a little.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> Did you ever get to go to London, Asuka? I hear it's nice.
[T-NRV] * Yoko Nakashima, again, doesn't rise to the tone. "Attitudes like that kill unit cohesion. Keep that in mind. Especially if you have a new pilot being added to your unit." Yoko sighs. "It reflects poorly on the CO and XO too." Her words are pointed at Kaworu this time. "Coping is one thing, dysfunction is another."
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> What are you stupid? We're not in some kindergarten class - Ultra Fangirl. Things like 'unit cohesion' don't matter. That won't raise synch rates. The only thing we're here for is killing the Angels. Maybe pulling that off is a little more important than awarding 'gold stars' for playing nice with others.
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari flash of something on his face, and then. "I wouldn't mind a gold star. We could put it on the fridge. ...actually maybe that'll get Misato to stop skipping chore day."
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> ...You're only here for killing Angels?
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> If you only care about killing the enemy, and don't care about getting your squad mates killed, then that tells me everything I need to know.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Even Haruki is more professional than that.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> You're right. It does." She answers succinctly, "That's not my responsibility. Most of them shouldn't even be here. I can handle the Angels on my own.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> We're all learning a lot about each other I guess, ma'am.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Then you shouldn't be on the field until you do.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> So you refuse to acknowledge my talents then Ultra Fangirl? Fine. It's what I'm used to. Fortunately it's not your decision whether I pilot Evangelion Unit-02 or not, because if it were up to you, Tokyo-3 would be a glacial ruin right now.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Since you're just looking for a fight, I'll say it straight. You lack experience.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Talent only gets you so far.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> What are you stupid? Yesterday is proof enough that I have all the experience I need.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Really. And you were the only pilot deployed in that fight?
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says mildly, "In addition to support from three unaffiliated battleships and their pilots, there were five separate Evangelions fielded in that battle, all of which contributed to the Seventh Angel's defeat."
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> I was the only one that mattered.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Pull your head in!
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> You're arrogant, and immature, and don't give a damn about anyone else!
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> That cockiness will get you killed, as well as the people relying on you to protect them!
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Or don't they matter at all?
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley ignores Kaworu's report on the forces that were at the battle, "First off. Don't think I didn't hear your jab at the Fifth String during all that. If you had any sense at all you'd understand he's been on your side here. I'm all for putting a moron like him on blast but do it for something he deserves catching flak for. Second. I'm immature? You're the one who calls a weird giant Z-sama like you've got a schoolgirl crush. I'm sick of this naive blindness you keep espousing that the world is lily white and that if if we all just held hands and sang rousing battle hymns together that the Angels would fall over dead before the Eva choir. Frankly my purpose for being here isn't to care about my fellow pilots or even to get along with them. It's to kill the Angels. If you're too stupid to realize that... that's not my problem.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa makes a faint but distinctly surprised noise.
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> Not getting along with your fellow pilots works for you. But keep in mind that the people around you function less efficiently when they believe they cannot trust you due to your emotional outbursts. That affects the average combat results, and lowers the odds of killing the Angels.
[T-NRV] * Eisen Daiwel says this surprisingly dead-pan.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> When have I ever given you the impression that I care about whether any of you trust me or not? The Angels will die because I'm there to handle them, I don't have to care about the 'average' combat results. You want to raise mine to make it a guaranteed thing? Then just stay out of my way.
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari makes another kind of sound. "Damn it, people died!" His voice cracks. "I watched people die! We lost two whole ships full of good people because Misato got caught in traffic! They froze! That, that thing. It spat darts made of nothing, made of space, and the sailors they froze to death screaming, trapped in their last second of life, some so long they drowned instead! Our 'unit cohesion' doesn't matter, ma'am, it doesn't because our superiors tell us exactly that: kill the angels, nothing else matters. And our scoreboard doesn't matter either! What a hideous idea! Who gives a DAMN who's on top! All those. Those THINGS do is kill, in worse ways, every time they show up they find some new atrocity to spit in our laps we can't even process it because it was worse when the Zondarians were here or it was worse in space like misery is a thing you can win! Why are we fighting about Goddamn combat etiquette!"
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "..."
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> Very well. Let us let miss Langley handle the next Angel all on her own.
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> She's got this.
[T-NRV] * Yoko Nakashima seems to be preparing to counter Asuka when Shinji pipes up. "I realise that." Her voice is very calm, and measured. "I've seen people get caught in these events too. It's always horrible." She sighs. "But if you can work as a unit you can fight better, and protect people better. That's why it matters. Trying to do it all yourself means things slip through the cracks, and someone suffers for it." She takes a breath. "The Angels are an exceedingly dangerous threat, which means you should be prepared to face them appropriately. It makes it more likely you all come back, and it makes it more likely no one has to write letters telling a person that someone they love is dead."
[T-NRV] * Yoko Nakashima pivots back to Asuka. "And the world isn't 'Lily White'. The world is a blasted landscape that has been suffering war after war for nearly two decades now. The angels have to be fought. But throwing yourself at it with no regard for anything else is, at best, death seeking. You said all that matters is killing the angel. What about protecting the people it threatens? You need to do both. Or it won't have mattered."
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley just seems to pause for a while as if assessing Shinji's statement, then, "It's not my job to play nursemaid to your feelings Daddy's Boy. You think I didn't already know you weren't cut out for this life?" Then she seems to reply to Eisen, "And you think I don't know sarcasm when I hear it you Chuutwo Flunkey? If it were up to me and you though - I'd take you up on that. It's not though. Not yet." She sounds? Irritated that it isn't? But at least she seems to understand what position she's in. "Death seeking? That's where you're wrong. I'm not seeking to die fangirl. I'm not just gonna survive either though. I'm going to kill every single Angel that shows itself - if your highest concern is really protecting the people that they threaten, then let me do my job without your useless lectures."
[T-NRV] * Eisen Daiwel hooo? "Administrator Kaworu. What do you say? Leave the next one to Asuka. We'll run interference on the outside to keep casualties low."
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "No. If I allowed that, she would die."
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> That's your opinion.
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari still mad, still squeaky. "No! Daiwel I'm saying this isn't a game! Every time we screw up, every time, some. Some kid gets killed or crippled and shoved in a box because that's what's in the budget and it makes me sick!" Raspty breath, "I don't care if the two of you are too military to ask for help I'm not going to leave you out there to suffer because of some ridiculous bushido! I don't care if they throw me in the brig again, it's not like it's new!" Cough, cough, sudden awful realization he's been shouting at superior officers. "I-,uh. Sorry. These new pain pills. Pack a whallop."
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> ...If either of them were 'too military', they'd understand that asking for help is part of the job.
[T-NRV] Asuka Shikinami Langley> You don't know the first thing about what it's like to be military then, if that's /your/ opinion.
[T-NRV] * Eisen Daiwel to Shinji, "I am well aware this isn't a game, Shinji Ikari."
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> You're hardly the first AEU officer I've served with, Langley.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says gently, "It's all right, Shinji. Actually, I apologize, for allowing this to go on this long."
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "Second. In my office, please."
[T-NRV] * Asuka Shikinami Langley seems ready to unleash, but then... "Tch. Whatever." Flips off the radio.
[T-NRV] * Kaworu Nagisa says, "Excuse me, everyone." His radio also disconnects.
[T-NRV] * Shinji Ikari defeated sigh.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> ...Ikari, I don't know how your COs put it, but... You're not wrong for caring about people.
[T-NRV] Shinji Ikari> It doesn't matter, ma'am. Doesn't really help them either.
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> Casualties are to be expected in an /Epic Battle/ like that. Just do not let it rush you, Shinji Ikari.
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> Those people are out there to give people like us a chance.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> You can't fight without casualties, it's true. But you shouldn't pre-emptively write them off, either.
[T-NRV] Eisen Daiwel> This isn't about writing them off. This is about appreciating those who give their lives to see the Deed be Done.
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> ...
[T-NRV] Yoko Nakashima> Yoko Nakashima, moving to active standby. Ending transmission.
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
It takes a few minutes, but eventually she's in Kaworu's office. Instead of being in casual clothes though she's in her workout outfit, like she actually skipped the locker room. There's still some sweat on her forehead in her hair, in a form fitting tank top and shorts with a towel around her neck. Once inside, she kicks back to shut the door behind her with her foot, and she leans against the wall, looking away from him with her arms crossed.
"Well? Say whatever you wanna say."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
For his part, Kaworu is in his administrator outfit--long-sleeved button-up shirt, purple tie, and a beige jacket with a winged-star insignia and his name in English letters on the left breast. His eyes are shut, and his chair wheeled to one side, when Asuka enters; a miniature sound speaker on his desk is playing classic music at very soft volume. He doesn't react when Asuka sulks in and kicks the door shut. When she speaks, he reaches over to press pause on the music player. Then he turns and regards Asuka directly.
"Second, you and I both know you could have defeated the Seventh Angel by yourself," he states, which might surprise Asuka as an opener. "Your sync ratio with Unit-02 is excellent. You have extensive combat training. You have the keen eye to have made the shot on the false core, the reflexes and insight to have not been fooled by the feint, and the power to have destroyed the true core. All of this is fact."
He pauses a moment to let his acknowledgement sink in. Before she can actually speak up, he continues, "What is *also* a fact is that, while you *could* have defeated it alone, you did not. There were several other pilots who assisted from both NERV and elsewhere."
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
As Kaworu starts, she looks sidelong at him out of her periphery, his statement seemingly drawing her actual /attention/ for a moment.
"So you acknowledge my talents then?"
She asks gravely, as if she's trying to be sure of that, that she's not misunderstanding him in any way, as she's used to these conversations in offices being preamble to... something else.
"Don't be stupid. You think I don't know that? Even if it were just me out there in my Unit-02 there's countless support staff. I know I couldn't even get my Eva on site without their assistance."
Pausing, her neck finally turns to face him as she actually looks fully in Kaworu's direction for the first time. "In the end though, it was my Unit-02's boot that destroyed Jehudiel's core. That's because of how elite my skills are, and no other reason."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Yes. You're a skilled pilot. Your talents are not in question here," Kaworu replies. He doesn't hesitate; he looks her right in the eyes; his hands are still. By any normal means of judgment--*or* abnormal--he's quite sincere. When she in turn acknowledges that, even if she had defeated Jehudiel by herself, she couldn't have *sortied* by herself, his neutral expression turns thoughtful.
"I didn't, actually," he replies. "You spend so much time building yourself up and tearing others down, I sincerely didn't think you would acknowledge the support staff. But I suppose that makes sense. They aren't 'competition' like other pilots are, are they?"
It was indeed Unit 02's boot through Jehudiel's core. Kaworu nods. However, his expression turns wry when she claims it was for no other reason than because of how elite she is.
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
"Good. At least you know that much."
Asuka actually seems to... be less tense after she says that? To Kaworu's high sensitivity, she is a raging ball of anger at all times, refulgent, unfocused - threatening to lash out and consume anyone for little reason whatsoever. For just a moment though, that recedes.
Though when he says he didn't... she briefly rolls her eyes, but...
Then he says they're not 'competition' and that seems to drive off whatever thoughts she was having with her eye roll.
"That's right. They're not. You understand that much too. Unlike the others you're not a complete idiot."
Perhaps that's why she hates him so much more, in part. Because in some part of her mind she can almost acknowledge him as an equal.
Almost.
There are so many reasons why she cannot.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
He does note that some of her tension eases up. Though this Asuka isn't the same as what he's used to--she's different enough to surprise him from time to time--he thinks he's starting to understand her a little better. Especially after the argument Eisen tried to make to her earlier; Kaworu knew right away it wouldn't work on her.
It's not a *happy* realization, but it is at least a potentially useful one.
"Why, thank you," he says with dry humor, one side of his mouth pulling up. "Then I hope that will give this some weight with you: the problem is not you 'raising yourself up,' but the way you 'tear others down.' Just as you did not, in fact, defeat that Angel alone, NERV is not, in fact, going to fire all their pilots except you.
"I'm not asking you to get along with them, or even be nice to them." (He knows better than to ask for the impossible.) "But who exactly does it help for you to go out of your way to be actively, needlessly hostile? It certainly doesn't help *you*. This is the second time we've had a talk because of that attitude. I'm sure neither of us are happy about that."
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
Asuka just rolls her eyes again when he says NERV is not going to fire all their pilots except you.
Unfortunately, she's not about to explain that after her experiences with the Shikinami Series, she does not believe, for even a moment that NERV would not retire pilots who do not perform. It falls on deaf ears.
"And there I was, thinking you actually said something intelligent for once. Guess that's on me for bothering to think better of you."
She doesn't actually say why she doesn't believe him. Just that she doesn't. Sure maybe they're not going to take Shinji out back and shoot him in the head. He might just go home. Rei though? Herself? Kaworu? Maybe even Eisen and Zoia - she figures if they don't perform. They'll just vanish and never be heard from again.
It's not worth connecting to someone who won't be there tomorrow - because she'll be the survivor, and they won't be.
"I guess you weren't actually listening to what just went down. I'm not here to care about whether it helps them or not. If they're too sensitive about it - that's their problem. But you are right, neither of us-"
Stepping forward, she slams both of her palms on his desk and leans in.
"-are HAPPY about this. So why don't you just /thank me/ for killing the Angel - or write me up for whatever stupid thing you're going to-"
As if she assumes it's a foregone conclusion that she'll be punished for this insubordination, rightfully so. Yet at the same time in her eyes she's been as professional as she can about following his orders and yet she's STILL back here.
"-and let's both get on with our lives as far away from each other as we can manage until the next time the alarms go off."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Kaworu sighs. That's all he can do, really. This is his own fault, he thinks, for letting himself believe for a moment that he could understand her.
Well, he did understand enough of her to predict her response to Eisen's attempt to reason with her. Perhaps it's not a completely lost cause. He simply needs to reassess what will actually make her *listen*, to concede that he has a valid point worth listening to.
He doesn't acknowledge the way she slams her hands on his desk; doesn't even flinch. It might be a little surprising to Asuka how wholly unbothered he is by that--though then again, maybe not. He simply continues to regard her with a slight frown.
"No, I was listening. I know very well you don't care about anyone else's feelings. You've said so many times, over and over," he replies evenly. "So allow me to rephrase myself, as I didn't make my meaning clear to you.
"If you are the only one here of value in your eyes, and no one else's perspective or opinion matters to you, then it is an absolute waste of your time to engage. I believe you know this already; you've made it clear you don't want others engaging with you. Saying negative things about others, regardless of how true you may believe them to be, will cause them to engage with you in a negative way. Bringing something you actively don't want on yourself just as actively is beyond foolish; it's pointless. Futile. And therefore it is in your best interests to moderate what you say. Prove yourself with your actions, not your words."
He pauses a beat, never taking his eyes off her. "Unless, as Pilot Nakashima said," he adds, "the point all along *was* to pick a fight. In which case, I would ask you to keep it to the sparring room."
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
It /is/ strange that he doesn't so much as flinch, but she assumes he's different from her normal response. Despite how similar the two might be in origin, he's more like Rei than her in all ways.
"You think I have a choice when I'm forced to live with Daddy's Boy? You took away my ability to tell him he's wasting my time without saying anything."
So what? Her interpretation of how she'd tell Shinji he's wasting her time is by hitting him??? Awful...
"He keeps persisting and persisting and persisting and I can't stand it! And even if he and the others did leave me alone..."
Asuka looks sideways suddenly. She thinks of all the things that the other Children do casually, believe they can have. Relationships. Friends. Contact.
She hates it. She hates watching it. It makes her feel sick.
"... they piss me off, that's all. I'm not gonna ignore it if they keep doing things that are stupid, saying things that are stupid. All of it gets in my way. You want me to stop wasting my time engaging?" She looks straight ahead at him once more, standing up again, crossing her arms, "Then convince Misato I don't need to attend school."
Good luck Kaworu. That one is definitively impossible.
"As for around base - you saw the others in the cafeteria that day. Even when I clearly didn't want to sit with anyone - they all came to me anyway. It doesn't matter what I do, how many times I show them I don't want to be around them - they're still gonna do it anyway."
She raises an eyebrow, "And you're telling me /I'm/ the one picking a fight? It's more like I'm not backing down from one - then they're acting like the victims when they get burnt."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Very true.
Kaworu's gaze is stony at Asuka's implication that her alternative to berating Shinji would be physically striking him. When she complains about how persistent he is, though...
She looks sideways suddenly. So does Kaworu, in the opposite direction.
...He thought he'd resolved this feeling. And yet, here it is again, oozing like poison from a thorn. He holds a hand to his chest and breathes in; breathes out. ...He already knew this. It's just as pointless to get worked up about it. The important thing is Shinji's happiness. That's all that matters. If resolving this will make him happier... then he'll do what he must.
"...If it were up to me, I would absolutely remove you from both school and from that apartment," he replies, expression carefully neutral as he looks back at her. "I'll try talking to Lt. Col. Katsuragi about it, but I think you and I can both guess what the result will be."
She is right about the cafeteria. She tried to sit on her own, and nearly the entire room moved to join her. "You can have others invade your boundaries *and* pick fights with others. Just because the first took place doesn't mean the second isn't also taking place," he points out. It is at least an acknowledgement of her point, though whether that's enough or not... He huffs a faint sigh as he rests his head on one curled hand. She really will insist on being hostile to the very end, won't she.
"Let's make a wager, then," he offers. "When the Eighth Angel comes, I'll allow you to do as you please as long as it abides by the mission's parameters. If, by the end of that battle, you continue to feel as though you could have defeated it by yourself, then you can do and say whatever you like going forward. However, if you acknowledge even only to yourself that you needed others to prevail, then I want you to reconsider your behavior.
"In the meantime... at least keep your hostility to a minimum while you're on the radio. However much you may not want to back down from a fight, no Lilim is going to physically attack you through the airwaves."
Now it's just a matter of how honest Asuka is willing to be.
Even with imaginary memories on his side, Kaworu isn't optimistic on this wager panning out. For now, though, hopefully it will be enough.
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
"Yeah. We can."
Asuka takes a deep breath, she respects Misato but this insistence on her socializing with others her own age grates on her in the worst way. She knows she won't budge, and Kaworu isn't likely to make her.
She does cock her head to the side looking at him strangely though as he mentions it's different when someone invades boundaries doesn't mean she's not picking fights. Like she doesn't quite get it. Yet isn't going to admit it as if that's an admission of weakness.
Unfortunately Asuka isn't socialized very well.
However then he offers her a Wager, as if that's indeed something she can understand. Her eyes narrow dangerously as if expecting some kind of deceit - some hidden messaging - some ulterior motive.
Yet not seeing any...
"That's all? Defeat the Eighth Angel on my own and I can do whatever I want?" Eventually she sticks a hand out, fingers extended like she's actually going to shake his hand, "I'll make you regret offering me this wager. Until then... I'll... /tone it down/ around poor /sensitive/ Ultra Fangirl..."
She looks at Kaworu with a mean-spirited gleam in her eyes, "... but only if you admit to me here and now that she pisses you off too. Go on. You can say it. I'm not someone who's gonna run off and tattle."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
In fairness, there *is* an ulterior motive. Just not one Asuka would understand.
At first, Kaworu accepts her hand to shake on the wager. It is an understood way of locking in terms. However, when she tries to get him to lie to agree with her, Kaworu's eyes narrow.
"You truly are the most unpleasant person I have ever known," he comments coldly as he withdraws his hand. (Strong words, considering Alexis.) "Dismissed."
He already doesn't lie. He's absolutely not going to break that habit for her, especially not to sate her fragile ego. And right now, he really doesn't want to have to look at her for any longer than he must.
Trying to negotiate with Asuka is futile, anyway.
<Pose Tracker> Asuka Shikinami Langley has posed.
It's not precisely Asuka lying, though it's quite understandable to think she was. She assumed that Kaworu resented Yoko for criticizing his command style. When he doesn't...
"Oh." There's a twitch at the side of her lips, "/That/ feeling is mutual." She's already turning around, offering a dismissive wave to his 'Dismissed'.
"Fine. You can keep pretending to be a boy scout."
...she's assumes he's being dishonest, or at the very least, diplomatic in a way she despise.
"The last thing I came into your office seeking... was your approval."
Yanking the door open so angrily that it slams against whatever is in it's way, she's out of sight and hearing in short order.