001 || anonymous text;

[reversemole]

A space-ship crash? I would think there would be plenty of better ways to greet new Transports. Even things like unsightly roommates or dingy floors rank secondary in overall effect now.

[ And he'd just started getting acquainted with the place, too. He could have never imagined the biggest source of disruption would be a radical destruction of his entire complex.

A hazing experience to rival all others, he supposed. ]

Well, I'm impressed by the hospitality here. Do events of this magnitude happen regularly?

How have you three been holding up without adult supervision? I'm hoping for good news. 

Comments

[reversemole]

[ Talk about turning the tables. In fact, this could be classified as a complete defenestration of the tables, akin to Jesus in the marketplace. ]

Ah. Well, that definitely changes things.

[ And it explains a lot, too. ]

That's the last thing on my mind, I assure you. But I'm afraid it's a long story.

[salvagedsoul]

Are you Seele, or aren't you?

[reversemole]

I've been told I keep my friends close and my enemies closer. How's that?

[ A statement with multiple levels, depending on the perspective. Kaji is all too aware of the various levels and how they can be perceived, but as long as he's public he won't be making any direct charges. ]

[salvagedsoul]

A spy.

[the implications of a person like that are great. it would explain a lot, while at the same time suggesting Kaworu had always known even less than he thought he did about the Lilim redirecting his destiny.

He's tempted to just leave this conversation as is, but a different temptation overrules it.]

Give me a reason for me, Tabris, to trust you.

[reversemole]

If you're having difficulty trusting me, I believe there's a reason just within reach.

[ Anyone could take the opinions of Ikari to the bank. Both of them. ]

[salvagedsoul]

Contrary to the gossip of your co-workers, I cannot read minds.

But even if you are saying what I think you are, that's hardly a reason for me to trust you instead of being more cautious.

[like he said, the other pilots won't be exploited again, not if he can help it. this place has given them peace.]

[reversemole]

They say gossip is always one-third right and two-thirds wrong.

[ Besides. He doesn't gossip, he observes. That's for the lower classes of unscrupulousness. ]

What would you like me to say? It's considered rude to interrogate a newcomer.

[salvagedsoul]

[He pauses at the question. It's a good question. Really, there was nothing he could say that would make Kaworu trust him. But... perhaps he's venting too much of the anger in his heart.]

I asked who you are.

[a second later, he sends another text - encrypted again.]

Is this what you want?

[He'll placate his secretiveness if it will help him find out who this person, from Seele, talking to the NERV pilots, is.]

encrypted text;

[reversemole]

Thanks, for that.

I'll try to tell you what you want to hear, but I think it's only fair you return the favor. You're not the only one looking for answers.

[ He knows all about hard negotiating, and Tabris had clearly managed to push him into a corner on this issue. It remains to be seen whether it would be worth it or not. ]

And to be honest, a part of me wants to apologize for bringing this issue into light.

encrypted permatext; (again)

[salvagedsoul]

[No promises about telling him anything, although it wasn't like Kaworu had any aversion to explaining who or what he was. Not after living in this place, among regular Lilim, for five months now.]

Issue?

Re: encrypted permatext; (again)

[reversemole]

Sounds like there's been some bad blood between you and Seele.

[ But before you say that he's an adversary, Kaworu, let Kaji explain you a thing. ]

I'm of the opinion that trying to hurt your opponent is inefficient. A much better approach was to help your friends, to the point that your opponents never become strong enough to pose a threat. Follow me, so far?

[salvagedsoul]

I follow.

[he's still highly skeptical, but the meaning of his words is cognizable. He'll listen a while longer. The matter with himself and Seele can wait.]

[reversemole]

Good. Don't pull out on me just yet.

Sometimes, the only way to help your friends is to shift your dedications for a time. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer", like I said before. Some say it's a way of self-preservation. I saw it as a necessity.

You weren't far off in your first observation, I might add.

[salvagedsoul]

You seem to be leaving out exactly who you are spying on behalf of.

[reversemole]

What a one-track mind you got there. You remind me of someone.

[ He doesn't see how responding any which way will sedate this one's suspicion. There was no viable proof, even with the closure he's about to give. But he might as well. ]

My own curiosity, I suppose. It's not much of an interesting reply, I'm afraid.

[salvagedsoul]

[Kaworu's getting a bit tired of this. There isn't much reason for him to trust what he's saying - the bits and pieces he's actually saying at all - but he can't ignore this man, either.]

No. It's interesting. You're quite the mystery.

[reversemole]

So, I'm not an open book, even for Tabris. It's a good thing that I'm on your side, isn't it?

[ Draw your own conclusions. ]

[salvagedsoul]

This is text, and you're hardly answering my questions.

[Of course he's not an open book. "Even for Tabris." The gossipy myths of omnipotence still prevail with these people.]

Is there anything the pilots are going to tell me about you, that you're selectively forgetting to include now?

[reversemole]

Some of your questions I can't answer for myself.

I'm sure they haven't forgotten about me by now, but there's only one way to find out for sure, right?

[salvagedsoul]

Yes.

I look forward to meeting you in person, Ryoji Kaji-san.

[unless Kaji presses him, Kaworu is going to conveniently forget about his earlier agreement to answer any of Kaji's questions.]

[reversemole]

It's been a pleasuree. I hope you'll hold your end of the bargain, the next time.

[ No getting off the hook for free, Kaworu. Ryoji never forgets. ]