first. ( audio )

[nothing]

[ The voice is hushed and small, but no less direct for it. ]

Reporting. Met with Ikari-kun and the pilot of Unit-02. [ Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child - she omits him, as something unsettles her still. ] Housing was located, according to instructions. No status problems. I will wait.

[ Silence, as if she forgot to end the recording, until: ]

Requesting information on where to buy clothes. My plugsuit is not useful here.

Comments

audio

[revolutionized]

[She recognizes the name "Ikari," so she assumes "Unit-02" has something to do with Asuka.

...This girl is odd. It's vaguely reminiscent of Anthy, but more...unsettling. Utena can't put her finger on it. She's been scarce on the network for the past couple of weeks, but this makes her curious enough to respond.]

Are you all right? ...That's kinda a strange way to ask for clothing, you know.

audio

[nothing]

There is a different way?

audio

[revolutionized]

Yeah. You could say, "Hey! Can someone tell me where I can buy clothes?" Something like that. There's nothing wrong with your way, it's just a little odd. Most people don't say it like that.

Say, are you friends with Asuka-chan?

audio

[nothing]

I understand.

[ That she's unlike most people, anyway. Rei's used to it.

Friends, though? It hardly takes firsthand experience with the term to tell it doesn't apply. ]

We had worked together.

[revolutionized]

Huh.

[Gosh that's a weird way to put "friends," Rei! Utena is dumb...

She blithely continues on, seemingly unbothered by Rei's reticence.] Me and Asuka-chan, we're friends here. What's your name?

[nothing]

I am Rei Ayanami.

[revolutionized]

[If this was video, Utena would be stretching an arm behind her head nervously. As it is:] It's good to meetcha. I'm Utena Tenjou. I've been here a while, so if you need any help finding anything, you can let me know.