001 | Yes, It's the End of the World As We Know It | Audio/Visual

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[A young woman's voice echoes over the Vine first. IN fact, it sounds almost exactly like that of someone else the residents have heard from recently. A shrill note of panic has managed to worm its way into her voice, though.]

What is this place? Where-? How-?

[After a moment the mirror comes on. It's Asuka! Or her doppelganger. The only real difference is that she has a swathe of bandages covering her right arm and another tied tightly around her head, covering her left eye. The one that is visible is bright, blue, alert and almost panicked. Her uncovered hand reaches out toward the mirror.]

This isn't right! I was just-

I was-

[Her eye widens slightly.]

Oh my God. I-

[She chokes, retches and she sinks out of sight for a moment, hand covering her mouth. The rather unpleasant sound of someone losing their lunch is all that can be heard for a few moments, gasps for air and then more retching.]

I feel sick.

Comments

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

I'm Asuka Langley Soryu! The only Asuka Langley Soryu!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

Soryu? It's Shikinami last time I checked!

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

What kind of stupid name is Shikinami? It's Soryu and always has been! I-

_{[She feels nauseous and she turns away from the mirror to retch.]}

Oh God.... You can't be me. You can't.

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

It's not stupid at all! You better take that--

[Oh for the love of Gendo, she actually facepalms at that.]

Hmph... Between the both of us, I seem to be in better shape. What happened to you, anyway? Were you hit by a truck or something?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

_{[That earns a strained, bitter laugh from Soryu.]}

Third Impact happened.

<sub>[She's a failure and it hurts and she should've tried harder, but there's nothing she can do about it.

She hates herself. And she hates the other her for being there and whole and fine.]</sub>

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

...? [She has no idea about that means, but... She can't help, but feel... kind of sorry for the other her. It really looks weird to see yourself looking injured and in near despair.]

... Third Impact...? Um, hey... [Almost wants to take back her rude remark.]

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

You do know what an Eva is, don't you? And what Third Impact is?

_{[Despite the pain in her voice, there's also hefty amounts of contempt.]}

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause. Somehow it feels as if this Asuka was almost like her upperclassman. Not that she'll admit that fully, though.]

Eh? I know there's been a Second Impact, but I haven't heard of a Third one. And of course I know what an Eva is! I wouldn't be an Eva pilot if I didn't know what an Eva was!

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Third Impact - the last Angel liquefied humanity.

_{[Well, the last Angel was humanity, but Asuka's not that knowledgeable on the details.]}

You're an Eva pilot, huh?

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

[WHAT]

... No way... That hasn't happened in... [A pause.]... in my world! I don't know how many angels are left, but the last one that we defeated was falling from space!

Of course I am! Being an Eva pilot has shaped who I am today! It's the only way I can prove that I exist!

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah. That one.

_{[She snorts, eye narrowing in a vicious glare.]}

...you're stealing my life.

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

[That gains an eyebrow raise.]

Kuh... I'm not stealing anything. I am who I am and you are who you are.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

You're me! You took everything but my last name! I'm supposed to be unique! The best! There can't be two!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

But we're both here now. If you can't even accept yourself as your other, then who are you willing to accept?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

I don't need anyone else!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

... That's not true and you know it.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Of course it's true! I've had to spend my whole life on my own and making sure I'm the best!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

But did that ever bring your happiness? Being the best is a great feeling, but... [There's a pause here.] ... It isn't everything.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Of course it made me happy!

_{[Not really.]}

Ikari just kept screwing it up! Everyone else failed me!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

That's not true! Did you even once considered opening up to Stupid Shinji and the others?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Why would I? They wouldn't understand! And it's not like I need their help anyway!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

Then tell me how you would have defeated the falling angel all by yourself.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

That doesn't mean they're as good as I am! I still don't need them!

[likeabossuka.livejournal.com]

Quit acting like a spoiled brat! You can't get through this world on your own!

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

Who the Hell do you think you are, lecturing me? You're nothing!