03: † audio

[salvagedsoul]

[An audio post begins, and for a few seconds it's just the sound of the rain. Then, a piano begins to play. Those familiar with classical music would recognize it as French Suite No. 4, a well-known work by German composer J.S. Bach.

The music goes on for about fifteen minutes. It's a piece with a sense of introversion to it - even as the music turns complicated and speedy in some areas, it maintains a restrained elegance. Emotional, without being passionate.

When it finally ends, there are another few seconds of rainfall before Kaworu speaks.]

The demands of human relationships are overwhelming when you consider just how much love a heart needs to survive.

But, conversely, a heart can give an infinite amount of love in turn. The world is less scary if you simply remember this.

Comments

[salvagedsoul]

Yes. You only need to look inward to find it.

[imusntrunaway]

If everyone had such hearts, then the world wouldn't be as cruel as it is.

[salvagedsoul]

It takes great courage to love. I don't mean to criticize the Lilim for their faults.

[imusntrunaway]

You wouldn't be wrong to criticize us.

encrypted

[salvagedsoul]

[...seeing Asuka's interruption, Kaworu locks all of the responses from here on. Sometimes she needs to be saved from herself.]

Shinji-kun. You once told me you didn't hate other people.

Have you changed your mind?

encrypted

[imusntrunaway]

[He notices that encryption.]

Should I have?

encrypted

[salvagedsoul]

[if Shinji could see him, Kaworu would be shaking his head and smiling.]

I'm asking for your honest thoughts.

encrypted

[imusntrunaway]

I don't know.


Sometimes I feel like I should.

encrypted

[salvagedsoul]

Are the people here cruel to you?

[or is it just Asuka.]

encrypted

[imusntrunaway]

No.

[They've been kind, in fact, far, far kinder than he anticipated. But, as cruel as it is, they aren't important. He's sure they can never understand.]

text

[redheadcarrier]

that's life.

text

[imusntrunaway]

I know.

[redheadcarrier]

then why complain?

[imusntrunaway]

I wasn't complaining.

[redheadcarrier]

you always complain.

[imusntrunaway]

I was just stating a fact.

[redheadcarrier]

whatever.

what are you doing anyway?

[imusntrunaway]

I'm not doing anything.
I'm at my apartment.

encrypted voice

[salvagedsoul]

Asuka.

[redheadcarrier]

What?

encrypted voice

[salvagedsoul]

It's rude to interrupt.

[despite the chiding words, it somehow still comes out casual and matter-of-fact. of course there's more to say, but that's all for now.]

[redheadcarrier]

It's a text message, who cares?

encrypted voice

[salvagedsoul]

[he lets her entire conversation with Shinji play out before he responds.]

You publicly harrass Shinji-kun constantly over the network. This is the second time you've done it where I'd see it. Why?

[redheadcarrier]

He deserves it, doesn't he?

encrypted

[salvagedsoul]

You want attention and admiration from others, but you intentionally engage in behavior that does the opposite.

It's not enough to simply want to change, Asuka.