Omake Chapter 1-C: Shinji

[Shukuen]

"Hmm? Oh, sorry," Shukuen bowed slightly. "I'm just trying to remember which way the exit was..." he responded truthfully, then smiled inwardly as an idea dawned on him. "I'm sorry that I've been out of it lately... Guess everything that's been happening lately is getting to me."

[Bean Bandit]

Rei didn't react outwardly, except for nodding and turning around, stepping out of the elevator, and beginning to walk...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen blinked, then shrugged indifferently, following Rei.

[Bean Bandit]

Rei walked deliberately, but not particularly quickly though the halls, transcribing an oddly complex route through the maze, until finally coming to another elevator. However, as decorating did not seem to be at a premium, Shinji could not swear, with 100 percent certainty, that this was not the same elevator they had recently left...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen blinked owlishly, but decided not to comment since it was obvious that she knew the layout better than he did. So he merely waiting, cataloging the route and anything else that might be needed in the future.

[Bean Bandit]

Rei, still silent, pressed the button to summon the elevator door. Momentarily, the door opened, and Rei boarded the car, the skirt of her school uniform swishing slightly with the motion.

She held the door open, for Shinji, waiting...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen nodded in thanks, entering the elevator.

[Bean Bandit]

Rei released the doors as Shinji entered the elevator, and as they swished shut, she tapped three keys on the elevator panel, and they began to ascend again...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen sighed, shifting uncomfortably in the elevator as he slowly focused on the only other person there. Thinking back about what had happened so far, he became curious on what Rei had said earlier.

"Ayanami, why exactly were you instructed to escort me back to my quarters?"

[Bean Bandit]

"Commander Ikari instructed me to ensure you did not run away..."

Rei replied softly.

[Shukuen]

Shukuen frowned; while not exactly the answer he was expecting, it made some sense at least, considering who he was.

"I assure you, I have no intention of escaping my punishment. I know I disobeyed orders and I accepted the commander's decision to confine me to my quarters."

[Bean Bandit]

Rei shrugged. An almost invisible movement of her slim shoulders, but it WAS there.

"I was ordered to escort you to your quarters, Ikari-kun..."

[Shukuen]

"But is that what you want to do, Ayanami?" Shukuen asked curiously, turning his gaze back to the elevator doors.

[Bean Bandit]

Rei turned to Shinji, blinking as though she didn't understand.

"I was ordered to..." she said quietly, as though that exlained everything.

[Shukuen]

Shukuen blinked back, pausing as he wondered how to respond. "Are you... content with following this particular order?"