Settling Accounts

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We finally get to the part which must still be bothering the generals here about this arrangement when I notice Nagisa going a bit paler than usual . . .

B-but I'd never do that! I hear her protest in her mind after I finish up recounting how things had gone (according to Elrondir) in the anime. It didn't . . . wasn't going to happen that way!

http://en. wikipedia .org/ wiki/ Tabris #Tabris

. . .

She says that she'd known that "her" Dead Sea Scroll prophecies could have taken a much darker course than what had been happening back on her world, but I do believe that from her reactions (especially to this last revelation) that she'd failed to realize HOW dark it could have been.

As for something else (it lay in the heart of another "incident" I am sure the general here wish to discuss with my group over Tabris), as for the rather odd relationship between Tabris and Nadia (the woman formerly known as "Shinji Akari" of the manga version of Neon Genesis Evangelion). If not them, then I shall have words with them over the "incident".

No, I shall not condemn Tabris over the issues one may have about the homosexual implied nature of the relationship there with the anime Tabris and Shinji Akari. Nadia as she is now (due to the nature of Matrix transformation) is a woman, down to the genetic level (and then some). Tabris, despite having a VERY bad upbringing (and don't try to tell me that being raised to what ammounts to a doomsday cult is healthy) is a pretty good guy. That time he spent under Astra the Angel's mercies did wonders for him, I'm sure! His sexual preferences before that time (and now) are NOT my concern.

. . .

I will say that I will not condone violence towards anyone just because he may not meet the "standards of manliness" that some dimwitted thugs in the JSSDF have in their microscopic minds! And that has nothing to do with Tabris being one of the two objects of our current Quest!

....

Yes, there was that business of that transformed Shinji Akari (of the manga) into a human female who's the live version of another anime character called Nadia who fell for the real life version of the anime Tabris. Again, that's besides the point and not important right now. The nature of the transformation Shinji Akari (now Nadia) went through went a long way in removing any realistic objections to this joining.

I wonder if their comrades have found those toads yet or not? I'd put them asleep (though I'd loved to have used stronger spells by far) and left them asnoozing (magically glued to the walls), but . . .

Anyway...

You chose early on a . . . .different path for yourself and the young man who was supposed to have been at the center of that prophecy, Astra the Angel adds to the mix. This little foray was to show what a Quest for a Champion could be like, sometimes dealing with near Alter-Earths and such. IF you should choose to remain a Champion, that is something you'll have to deal with, jarring though it may be for you.

Ah, as it turns out Nagisa here had been unwillingly inducted into the Champion's ranks by an "Unenlightened" Rule and only as a "First Generation" one (i.e. the kind that come back via reincarnation when they die instead of regenerating like we do). She's getting a choice on whether or not to remain a Champion (an upgraded one at that) or be released, to live the rest of her life as a normal . . . human being.

Returning to being a Neon Genesis Angel is NOT one of the options here, if you didn't catch that.

Soon enough Elrondir brings the generals up to speed on what had happened with our other group. Their running into other versions of themselves (and Nagisa here) back out there. Of course, Astra then finally reveals to the others just WHY Nagisa is here.

. . .

Surely she could have done it in a less flashy manner, right?

Well, whatever. The ways of the Heavens and Angels are not always understandable, you know.

Finally, we also get to just WHY the generals had sought us out: concern for the psychological well being of both Reika and Lilith. They had thought that surely after everything they'd gone through that it was just pure foolishness to put them through the ringer of yet another Quest, right? They surely needed time (and probably psychiatric care) to recover from the shocks they'd gone through up to this point, correct?

After all, even the miraculous return of dearly departed loved ones to the other EVA pilots hadn't instantly erased all the emotional and psychological issues they carried. So why NOT be worried?

Seems they had not bought that part of Elrondir's report about the "healing places" both Reika and Lilith had gone to through various divine (or in Alsan's case "semi-divine) means. In those places souls heal and wounds mend.

"So . . . the First Children actually did get over their traumas through what basically is divine intervention?" the oldest member of the group of generals asks, without really asking.

Looking over at Astra, the man knows the answer without it being stated. Still, I feel a need to address this.

"Gentlemen," I say softly. "We would not have sent them out if they had not been ready and on top of their games."

And on top of their game they're going to need to be . . . .especially with that one particular ally.

"Yes . . . I can see that now," one of the other generals say in a small voice, glancing over at Astra. "But after seeing the actual psyche evals on the Pilots instead of the line of drek we . . . er . . . were fed we rather felt it high time for those Children--now that they under us in the chain of command-- to get the care they deserve!"

. . .

I look at them drolly before glancing at Elrondir, who's shaking his head slightly. Lilith (like Reika) had commissioned their resignations from NERV. So what are these generals trying to do here? They don't actually have the . . .

No, being too paranoid here. Sometimes Machiavellian tatics aren't in the works. They WERE trying to be helpful with at least Lilith (who they felt they owed something).

I'm happy to see that these crusty old SOBs actually have something of a heart in their concerns for both Reika and Lilith, Elrondir then quipped. Would be even MORE impressed if they'd have expressed concern for Ritsuko Akagi's mental health, you know though? I mean they practically forced her onto this Quest with us.

Yes, they did at that with the Hobson's choice they'd put upon her. Either join us, the "best qualified NERV person for this job" or face a much longer (and rougher) prison term.

Saw signs that Akagi would NOT enjoy her prison time at all (might not even survive it) if she turned down this assignment.

Honestly, that's a bit . . . heavy handed even by some of my friend's standards. We'll see what can be done to . . . redress this issue once we are done with this Quest. Something in the future. LATER.

Too much on our plate as it stands right now, thanks! I myself want to know whether or not we've been fooling ourselves with seperating the two fonts would actually lessen their combined effects here! I mean if little Rei I actually does do a LOT of astral projecting whilst asleep (something that Rei's been known to do from time to time before getting used to Terra Prime. . . was all a bit overwhelming at times for her), then what OTHER fun will be coming our way here?

This visiting Nagisa here is HERE because of it, and while I am happy to see she's okay I . . .

Of course, THIS is the time a wave of Chaos energy decides to interrupt me and everyone else.

"Well, as for this Champion business I do believe I know what I shall say . . ." Nagisa begins, speaking directly to Angel Astra. Then, after a blank look crossing her face she begins uttering nonsense!

"Snorbin," she blinks. "Nipples!"

"Ah, I see you nipples are fetuses of joy and..." I find myself joining in.

It rather goes downhill from there until a VERY angered Astra snatches a giggling Author (the troll responsible for this mess) out of thin air and actually . . .

. . .

Beats the troll within an inch of it's life! Seems that hte trollish Author had overstepped himself by interferring in the business of Angels (something that one doesn't get to do during a Challenge Quest I take) and Astra opted on taking off the gloves, literally! If the idiot would have waited a few moments to wait until Astra was done with us . . .but no!

Only after screaming for mercy did the angel let up, and only after MAKING it possible for some of the "prime targets" for this cretin's warped sense of humor able to leave the danger zone. A bunch of those elves (last of their kind) who'd come along with the Dawn Treader suddenly find that the Enterprise is within reach and beam up (with some persuasion from various people we needn't mention). Good, considering that it would have been a crying shame to have those almost extinct ones suddenly die (or worse) within sight of coming to Terra Prime (where elves are still a going concern).

As for what happens after that isn't too important right now. I will add, however, that on top of anything else on whatever Nagisa had decided didn't entail her staying on here. Whatever Validation Quest she gets (IF she gets one with the decision she makes) doesn't involve US. Point in fact, we don't meet her again until centuries later . . . .

That is a different tale, however.

Back to Rei's group, shall we?

Now, they've left Nagisa's world and . . .

1. Well, there is that old saying that you can't go home again....

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