***
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***

You watch the horizon as you eat lunch, rolling over the events of the day in your mind. A new girl started school today, Katya. Something about her is haunting you and you can't place it. It's a strange sensation that she doesn't belong. That something isn't right.

You take another bite of your sandwich.

This stupid nonsense is really the last thing you should be worrying about. You have enough real problems without making up new ones. You're falling behind in classes, and there's only so many times you can copy off of Linda's work. Maybe even more urgently than grades, the Under the Sea dance is coming and you don't have a date.

You close your eyes and sigh, feeling the warm sun on your face. "Nothing is ever easy," you say.

When you open your eyes, you're looking directly at Katya, standing in the doorway to the stairwell. You're so surprised to see her that you at first think you're seeing things. To make matters worse, she looks just as surprised as you are.

"Katya." You blurt the name and see her confusion only intensify.

"I did not know you were eating here. Sorry." She turns to leave.

"No, it's okay," you say.

She stops.

"I don't mind company, I mean. I was just … you startled me."

She hesitates, looking uncertain for a moment before finally letting the door close behind her and coming out onto the rooftop.

You make room on the bench for her to sit, leaving a healthy buffer between the two of you.

Katya sits and, without so much as a word to you, begins to meticulously unpack her lunch and eat. She stares out over the sea, her crystal eyes not seeming to focus on anything in particular. She looks troubled.

Her eyes flick to yours, her brow furrowed. "What?"

You were staring. "Ah, nothing. Sorry, I-" Your mind is blank. You what? "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

She stares a moment and then nods before returning to her lunch.

Should you say something?


>"Sorry, but you look so familiar to me."
>"I'm Ethan, I don't think we were really introduced."
>Wait for her to make the first move
>Write in

>>5563414
>"I'm Ethan, I don't think we were really introduced."

>>5563414
>>"Sorry, but you look so familiar to me."
>>"I'm Ethan, I don't think we were really introduced."

>>5563414
>>"I'm Ethan, I don't think we were really introduced."

Welcome back TK.

>>5563777
It's great being back.

>>5563418
>>5563425
>>5563770

>"I'm Ethan, I don't think we were really introduced."

Writing

"I'm Ethan by the way." You offer your hand. "I don't think we were really introduced."

She looks at your hand and shakes it, reluctantly. The shake is tepid and limp, the absolute minimum shake required. "Yes, you the one staring at me in class."

You feel your cheeks flush. "What? I mean, uh-" You can't exactly deny it since Miss Holiday explicitly called you out in front of everyone. "Miss Holiday was just kidding," you say quickly. "Nothing like that."

She stares at you. "There's one in every school," She mutters.

"Hey! It's not like that at all!" You interject. "I think we got off on the wrong foot."

Katya doesn't hide her absolute astonishment. "You speak Russian?

"No?" you say. It's in that moment that you realize the language she was speaking definitely wasn't English. So how did you know what she said? Maybe she meant to say it in Russian and just . . . didn't. Or maybe you just guessed at what she meant.

Katya looks even more bewildered now. She glances around, maybe looking for the hidden camera.

This is going very poorly.

You take a deep breath. "This … I'm not a creep or anything. Honestly. So, maybe we could start over?"

Katya regards you warily but finally shrugs. She returns to eating.

Smooth.

"So, you move around a lot? Change schools?"

She nods.

"Do your parents work for Nerv too?"

She shakes her head. "My papa works for the UN. Finance."

"Oh, is he overseeing the rocket launch today?"

She shrugs.

>You know, if you stick around we can probably see it launch here soon
>Yeah, I'm not crazy about all this space stuff either.
>First time in New Tampa?
>write in

>>5563839
>>Yeah, I'm not crazy about all this space stuff either.

>>5563839
>"The UN is actually incredibly based. Like, sure they do work all over the world or whatever, but really I'm in it for the 'monolithic supergovernment angle. Have you ever heard about this thing called Seele?"
In all seriousness I don't love any of the options. Second seems like the worst though, makes a big and not reliable assumption.
>You know, if you stick around we can probably see it launch here soon
Seems like the least worst, unless someone has a good write in

>>5563839
>>First time in New Tampa?

>>5563848
>>5563852
>>5564008

Writing

"Yeah," You say. "I'm not really crazy about all this space stuff. It's . . . I mean, it just seems kind of pointless."

She looks at you. "Pointless?"

"I get that it's scientific and all, but what does it really do for us? I mean, for regular people."

Katya considers this for a moment. "I think maybe it sets up for the future. We can't stay here forever."

It takes you a moment to realize she means stay on Earth. "Right. Yeah, I guess that's true. I just feel like we've got enough problems on Earth waiting to be fixed. Why are we spending time on this rocket stuff?"

"We will always have problems, I think. That's just how people are, no?"

You smirk. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Well then maybe you'll think the rocket launch is cool. Ever seen one before?"

She shakes her head.

"It's kind of neat the first time. We'll have a great view from here." You point toward the distant launch gantries. "They'll go up from there in a few minutes. It's weird seeing something on its way to space. Maybe I'm just dumb but it's weird to think that we're just on a ball of rock and dirt falling through space."

Katya doesn't say anything but keeps staring at the gantry.

"So your dad is with the UN? That's pretty cool."

Silence.

"You think they do good work, right? I mean they ended the war and all."

She looks at you again with her cold eyes and shrugs. "I have nothing to compare it to."

You feel sort of stupid for having brought it up now. She's right of course, the UN took over everything when you were just born, how would you really know things were better or not? Of course, everything you've heard makes it sound better now. Peace, progress, the damage from the war being repaired.

You allow a few moments of silence before speaking again. "So you must travel a lot if you're used to meeting a creep in every school."

A flicker of a smile crosses her lips before she suppresses it just as quickly. "Yes."

"First time in New Tampa?"

"Yes."

"What do you think?"

She looks around, unimpressed. "It is very hot."

You laugh. "Yeah. You get used to it."


>"So what do you do for fun, Katya?"
>"It must suck moving around all the time. No time to settle down or make friends."
>Just enjoy the weather and eat
>write in

>Just enjoy the weather and eat
Ethan needs to be quiet before he can do more damage
>>5564527
"Katya considers this for a moment. "I think maybe it sets up for the future. We can't stay here forever.""
Called it, she wasn't shrugging because she's anti-space, she was just anti-this conversation. And so am I! The tie making Ethan look more schizo than usual didn't help matters!

>>5564527
>>Just enjoy the weather and eat

>>5564527
>>Just enjoy the weather and eat

>>5564539
>>5564569
>>5564689

>Just enjoy the weather and eat

Writing

You grimace to yourself. This did not go well. Why were you even trying to talk to her? It's pretty clear that she's not really the talkative type.

You eat in silence and enjoy the weather. The breeze keeps the temperature from climbing too high, and the sun keeps it from getting chilly. This is about all you can ask for.

"You parents work on the rocket?" Katya asks.

You're a bit surprised she didn't flee. "Yeah," you say. "Most people do around here."

She nods.

Back to silence.

A glint of light catches your eye. "Look! There it goes."

She follows your gaze to see the rocket climbing from the gantry, rising on a spreading pillar of smoke as it burns skyward. From this distance it's little more than a speck, but you hear the bass rumble of the boosters all the same.

"Wow," she says. She looks genuinely surprised. "Amazing."

Maybe you've just gotten jaded to it. Rocket launches aren't really that rare here. Maybe it is more amazing than you give it credit. But somehow you just can't muster up the energy to get really excited.

"This happen a lot?" she asks.

"Sometimes," you say. "Depends on the schedules and missions and stuff. Maybe once a month? Sometimes more."

You both watch it as it burns higher and higher until it's lost in the sun and the clouds overhead and the rumbling gradually fades away. Both of you remain silent for another minute before time catches up with you.

"Ah shit," you say. "Lunch is almost up."

Katya takes her phone from her pocket and checks the time. "So quickly," she mutters.


>It was nice meeting you
>If you want, you're welcome to have lunch with me and my friends next time. I can introduce you.
>Sorry if any of that was weird earlier. I haven't been feeling myself.
>Write in

>>5564970
>>It was nice meeting you
We've kinda got our foot unjammed from our mouth, let's take steps to keep it that way.

>>5564970
>>It was nice meeting you

>>5564970
>It was nice meeting you

>>5564980
>>5565087
>>5565227

>It was nice meeting you

Writing

You stand and gather up the remains of your lunch as Katya does the same.

"It was nice meeting you," you say once you have everything together. "Good to have some company."

Katya nods, opens her mouth like she was going to say something, but seems to think better of it. "Yes."

"See you around," you say. You leave Katya behind as you take the stairs down two at a time. "Stupid," you mutter to yourself. "Can't string two sentences together." Not that you're the most charismatic person, but you don't normally have any trouble talking to people. Something about Katya has left you uneasy. You can't shake the feeling that something's wrong here. She's still running through your mind when you round a corner and nearly run headfirst into Korine.

"Hey, watch it," she says.

Linda laughs from beside her. "Jesus, Ethan. Distracted much?"

Back in the main halls of the school, the three of you stand to the side, out of the main foot traffic of students hurrying to class.

"Sorry! Was just thinking about that quiz," you say quickly.

"You sure?" Korine prods. "Not thinking about the new girl?" Her lip curls in a devious grin.

You snort and roll your eyes. "Everyone is on my case about that today."

"Oh, we're just teasing!" Linda says, tapping your nose with her fingertip. "Maybe you need to lighten up."

You sigh, "Sorry. I'm just feeling off today."

Linda frowns. "Oh no. Are you sick?" She puts the back of her hand on your forehead before you brush it away.

"No. Not like that. I don't know. Just off."

"Residual guilt," Korine says. "For taking advantage of Linda's kindness for academic advancement."

Linda shoots Korine a dirty look which she pretends not to notice.


>Have either of you talked with Katya? Does she seem familiar to you?
>Sorry for missing lunch with you guys, I was watching the rocket on the roof
>Come on, let's get to class. I don't want Miss Sayid to give me shit.
>Write in

>>5565785
>>Sorry for missing lunch with you guys, I was watching the rocket on the roof

>>5565785
>Sorry for missing lunch with you guys, I was watching the rocket on the roof

>>5565785
>>Have either of you talked with Katya? Does she seem familiar to you?

>>5565785
>>Sorry for missing lunch with you guys, I was watching the rocket on the roof

>Sorry for missing lunch with you guys, I was watching the rocket on the roof

Writing

File: Schooldays.jpg (90 KB, 773x1000)

90 KB JPG

You fall into step between your friends as you make your way toward class.

"Sorry for skipping lunch with you guys. Hopefully Renton wasn't too annoying without me to keep him in check."

"Are you kidding? You guys are so much worse together. Renton alone felt like a vacation by comparison," Korine says.

You roll your eyes.

"It's alright. We missed you, but we make do!" Linda says. "Where were you anyway? Not like you to miss lunch."

"I was up on the roof," you say. "I wanted to watch the launch."

"The launch!?" Korine blurts. "Haven't you seen like a hundred of those?"

Linda also gives you a curious look.

You shrug. "Fresh eyes? I don't know. I just felt like it."

"Maybe next time invite us," Linda suggests.

"Count me out," Korine says. "They're all the same. Woosh!" She raise her arms dramatically into the air. "Blegh."

You feel a little weird not telling Linda about Katya, but you feel like it would be weirder to tell her. What would you even say? How can you put into words how you've been feeling the past day?

"Hope you didn't make Linda do your homework for this one too," Korine says as you reach Miss Sayid's room.

"I'm not totally heartless," you say. "Or brainless."

"Jury's still out on that," Korine says.

Linda laughs and pushes you both through the doorway. "Come onnn! We're gonna be late!"

You're able to better get into the swing of things during the second half of the day. Classes blur by, lessons half-listened to, homework received. You're starting to feel maybe a little more in sync with the world around you. It's relieving but there's also a part of you that finds it alarming. A quiet part of you in the back of your mind won't settle down and won't relent. That feeling of wrongness never quite goes away.

School's out. Your final class is done. Everyone is filtering out, making their way to clubs or sports. You're clear to leave now. Unless there's anything else you want to do.


>Go home with Linda
>Find Katya and try to make a better impression this time
>Check in with Renton
>See what Korine is up to
>Write in

File: 327281328_334272730604558(...).png (1.02 MB, 945x945)

1.02 MB PNG

>>5566094
>>Go home with Linda

>>5566094
>>Go home with Linda

>>5566094
>Go home with Linda

>>5566115
>>5566181
>>5566191


>Go home with Linda

writing

You wave goodbye to Korine and Renton as each of you head off in your separate ways. Linda walks lockstep with you down the sidewalk back toward the metro.

"Do okay on the quiz?" Linda asks.

You nod. "Yeah. I mean, I think so. Thanks again."

"Of course!" She jostles you. "You big goof. I've always got your back."

The thought makes you sad in a way that you can't really explain, but the emotion is fleeting, washed away a moment later.

Linda hums as she walks, it's a familiar sound, comforting. There's not a moment that passes where there's not a song in her heart. You recognize the movement of course, it's one of her favorites.

"Tchaikovsky," you say. "The Nutcracker."

Linda looks startled for a moment and then smiles. "That's right. Opus 71. The Waltz of the Flowers."

"You always liked that one," you say.

"It's always spoken to me," she says. "The whole ballet. Do you remember when we saw it together?"

You almost say 'no' before the memory comes to you. Christmas, at the New Tampa Performing Arts and Ballet. You and Linda side by side. You remember that your suit was stiff, stuffy, and a little itchy, but Linda looked amazing in her dress. As you struggled to take your eyes off her, she never took her eyes off the stage.

The dancers spun and twirled, stepping in time with the music.

"Yeah," you say. "That's right. I forgot."

"You didn't forget. You just didn't remember," she teases. "Feels like it was a long time ago."

You're glad to be spending time with Linda again. It feels like it's been so long. Too long.

"But you'd better be careful, Ethan. You go too far down this rabbit hole and you'll be lost. The Nutcracker is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Wouldn't want to end up a total dork like you," you add.

"Exactly." She winks at you.

You think back to that night, Christmas Eve, and the ballet. What were you even doing there? Did your parents take you? You don't remember them being there. Maybe Linda's parents took you both. You frown.

That's funny. Why can't you remember? You know you've heard Linda's mom. But have you ever spoken with her? Or seen her dad? What do they even look like?

"Ethan?"

"Hm?"

Linda is looking at you, worried. "Penny for your thoughts."

"Just thinking about that ballet," you say. "I don't remember what we were even doing there."

"Seeing the Nutcracker, silly," she says. "I wouldn't worry about it. We've got a whole new dance to worry about. Unless you forgot about that too."

The Under the Sea dance at school. You had almost forgotten about it. You'd told Renton you were planning to ask Linda. But . . . you're still not sure about that. Is this the best time? Maybe you'd be better off asking someone else. Korine might go with you. Maybe. Or even Katya, assuming you can convince her that you're not a total weirdo.

Or maybe Linda is the right one to ask after all.


>Ask Linda to the dance
>Now's not the right time
>write in

>>5566734
>>Ask Linda to the dance

>>5566734
>Ask Linda to the dance

>>5566739
>>5567069

Writing

"No, I… I didn't forget," you say, suddenly feeling very self conscious. "In fact I uh…"

Linda stares blankly at you. Something about those wide eyes makes you feel even more nervous. But why should you? Linda's your friend. You should be nervous. But you are.

"I was wondering if uh…"

She breaks into a smile. "Yeeees?"

Deep breath. This is it. "I was wondering if you'd be my date to the dance."

"You know I will!" Linda says excitedly. "God. I was just waiting for you to ask. Jeez."

You feel a great weight lifted from you. Finally, you did something right.

"Thanks," you say.

She laughs. "'Thanks'? Oh. No problem bro. You got it, my guy." She jostles you and laughs.

You feel yourself turning red.

"'Thanks dude'."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

"Who says 'thanks' when they ask someone out?" Linda laughs even harder until she sees how flustered you're getting. "Aw. No. I'm laughing with you, Ethan. It's cute."

Being called "cute" doesn't help.


>Please let me keep at least some dignity
>But not as cute as you
>Don't expect to get asked to the next dance at this rate!
>Write in

>>5567856
>>Please let me keep at least some dignity

>>5567856
>>Please let me keep at least some dignity
jesus

>>5567924
>>5567996

Writing

"Please," you say. "Let me keep at least some dignity."

She laughs again. "Okay, jeez. Sorry. I'll try to be more restrained."

She's true to her word, she stops prodding and teasing you and sits quietly.

The metro takes off, racing through the tunnels beneath the city on the way home. The awkwardness between you eases off a bit, but never quite goes away. You and Linda have always been friends. But are you more?

You smile a little to yourself with the knowledge that you have the rest of forever to figure that out.

You both get off at your stop and ascend the stairs from the metro stop into your building.

"I can't wait for the dance!" Linda says at last. "I know it's going to be amazing."

"So sure?"

She nods. "Not a doubt in my mind."

"Is there ever?"

She grins.

"I've got a lot of work to catch up on. See you tomorrow?" She asks.

"Definitely. See ya."

You unlock the apartment and enter. "I'm home!" But no one's here. The place is quiet and dark as if you lived alone. But of course that's just because your parents are still at Nerv doing the rocket thing obviously. They won't be back until later probably.

You throw a pizza in the oven and hunt for a movie to watch, digging through your extensive collection of schlocky horror movies. You've always loved them. Haven't you?

You look at the movie in your hand, confused. You used to watch movies like this with someone. You can see it in your mind's eye. You and Korine watching B-movies together. Something about a clown zombie. When did you hang out with Korine? She was Linda's friend.

You shake your head. No. That's not right. That was you and Linda.

You pick a movie from your extensive collection of action movies and put it on. As you watch, you listen to the rain pounding the windows. Your headache is getting worse. You hardly noticed it at school, but it's been growing in the back of your mind like a cancer. Now it's making your head pound and you can hardly think straight.

Where the hell are your parents anyway?

You rub your temples and shut the movie off


>Go to bed, you'll feel better tomorrow
>Visiting Linda might help
>Write in

>>5568211
>>Visiting Linda might help

>>5568211
>>Visiting Linda might help

>>5568216
>>5568344

Writing

You can't escape the feeling that you've forgotten something, that something is wrong. Really, you feel like you're on the verge of panic. It takes all your strength to leave your apartment and follow the darkened hall until you reach Linda's.

"Linda?" You knock.

The door opens.

"Ethan? Are you alright?"

She takes you inside and lays you on the couch. It's dark and quiet in here which seems to help your headache a bit.

"I don't know," you say. "I feel . . . like something's wrong."

"Oh, Ethan." She leans over you to give you a tight hug, her wings encircling you. "You poor thing."

"Where is everyone?" you whisper.

"They'll all be here soon," she says, stroking your head. "Don't worry."

You nod weakly and hold tight to her.

She continues stroking your hair, easing the pain in your mind. "It's almost over, Ethan. Not long now. It'll be over soon."

When you sleep you dream of voices, fear, and pain.

All around you is crushing blackness, lightless depths.

"Ego borderline is collapsing!"

"We're losing him!"

"Every man, woman, and child."

"Everywhere at the end of time." Linda's voice.

"I wish things could be different, Linda." Your own voice.

"Ethan!"

"Ethan?"

You open your eyes groggily. "Hm?"

"Come on, it's time to get ready for school." Your mom says. "You don't want to be late."

The past few days moved by in a blur. You've been nervous about the dance of course. So worried that your schoolwork just seems less important, irrelevant.

"Come on, get up. Don't keep Linda waiting."

"Yeah."

You get up and get dressed.

"Today's the dance, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It is. The Reconciliation Ball."

"The what?"

"The Under the Sea Ball," you repeat.

"Then you'd better get to school."


>I'll hang out with Linda at school
>I'll pick out a tux with Renton
>I'll have lunch with Katya again
>I'm ready for the dance

>>5568782
>>I'll hang out with Linda at school

>>5568782
>>I'll have lunch with Katya again

>>5568782
>I'll pick out a tux with Renton

>>5568804
>>5568813
>>5569961


writing

You've got a busy day ahead of you, so much to do. First you need to get yourself to school. You take your mom's advice and get ready for the day. You're not sure how the dance snuck up on you so fast. In fact, the past few days are sort of fuzzy for you. When you try to hold any details in your mind they just … slip away.

These nebulous concerns evaporate when you leave the apartment to find Linda waiting for you in the hall in her school uniform. "Ready?" she asks.

"Ready," you say.

You set off for the metro together.

"It looks like you're feeling better," she says.

"I guess I am," you reply. "I can't explain what was going on with me."

"It's okay. I get that way too sometimes. Panicky I guess. Anxious. I'm not sure." She gives you a sympathetic look. "Before you know it, you'll be back to normal."

"I feel back to normal already," you say.

The metro is crowded with students and commuters, but you and Linda somehow manage to find a seat together in the back. She shares an earbud with you and you listen to the soothing strains of symphonies and orchestras and the metro blurs through the tunnels beneath the city.

"The dance is tonight," you say.

"Yes." She doesn't look happy. If anything, she looks worried.

"What's wrong?"

She seems surprised, as if startled that you noticed her expression. "Oh. It's nothing."

"Oh come on. Tell me. Having second thoughts about going with me?" You tease.

"No, no. Nothing like that. If anything … I guess I'm really nervous. I'm … just afraid that things won't be perfect. It's an important moment."


>"We're going to have a great time"
>[Hold her hand] "It'll be perfect"
>"Don't worry so much. It's just a dance, don't stress."
>write in

>>5571630
>>"We're going to have a great time"
>>[Hold her hand] "It'll be perfect"

>>5571630
>>write in
>hold hand
"dont worry Linda. Nothing is ever perfect"

>>5571638
>>5572028

Writing

"We're going to have a great time," you assure her, but she doesn't look convinced.

Before you realize what you're doing you take her hand in yours. She looks at you, startled. You smile back at her. "Try not to worry. Not everything has to be perfect."

She stares at you in shock for another second before composing herself. She squeezes your hand. "But this has to be."

"Why?"

She smiles, but it's uncertain, worried. "It's …" she hesitates. "It will be perfect as long as you're there."

You feel your face warming. This is not how you expected your morning to go.

"Next stop, Crystal Plaza. Crystal Plaza."

The automated announcement startles you, and in that moment Linda slips her hand free. She stands and smiles down at you, but it's plastic, a facade. You know her well enough to know that. "Come on, we'll just see how it goes when it happens, okay?"

"Alright."

The school day flies by. You talk with Linda when you have a chance, but she's more reserved, like she's keeping something from you. Probably best not to push it, so you don't.

Come lunch time you make your way up to the school's roof and are actually surprised to find Katya up here.

She's unpacking her lunch and looks up to see you. "Hello."

"Hey," you say. "You know, if you want we can eat with my other friends."

She considers this for a second before shaking her head. "This I think is better."

Shrugging, you take your own seat and start to eat.

"No rocket launch today," you say.

"Is too bad. How often they launch?"

You shrug. "Depends on the month. I'd say usually once a month at least but sometimes we get one a week. It really just depends on what payloads they need to get into orbit. I don't keep up with it."

She nods without looking at you.


>"Sorry, but I'm kind of surprised to find you here after what a weirdo I was last time"
>"Getting more used to the city?"
>Just keep quiet, don't put your foot in your mouth.
>Write in

>>5572749
>>"Sorry, but I'm kind of surprised to find you here after what a weirdo I was last time"

>>5572749
>>"Sorry, but I'm kind of surprised to find you here after what a weirdo I was last time"
Don't shove the foot all the way in your mouth, Ethan. Just nibble on it a little.
Just the tip, just to see how it feels.

You hesitate and then sit beside her, taking out your own food. "I've got to say, I'm kind of surprised you're here."

"Here?" She looks at you, confused.

"Here on the roof. Honestly, after how weird I was last time, I'm surprised you came back."

"Oh." She looks almost disappointed but doesn't elaborate.

She picks at her lunch, but you notice she isn't eating. You don't know her that well, but you can tell she's troubled by something, you're just not sure how to broach it. Ass long as you can avoid putting your foot in your mouth again. You take a bite of your sandwich. "So, what made you come back anyway?"

She looks startled by the question. She looks at you briefly before looking away again, eyes to the horizon. "I …"

A gentle breeze sweeps the rooftop, bringing with it the soft sounds of city traffic.

She shakes her head. "I don't know."

Something about the way she says it sends a shiver down your spine.

She looks at you, her cold eyes locked on yours. You see fear in them. "I don't know why I'm here."

"Well, sometimes we just kind of run on autopilot, you know? I mean, you can stick around if you want or if you want me to go I can—"

"Ethan, why you feel familiar to me? Why I can't remember?"

Now it's your turn to be startled. You're not sure what to say. You're not sure what she's talking about, but most alarmingly, you're not sure why you feel the same way about her. Your skin prickles at the intensity of her stare.

Katya leans in, moving very close to you, her lips inches from your ear. She whispers "why this place feel so wrong?" Her voice trembles as she speaks.


>Have we met before?
>I feel the same way
>I don't know what you're talking about, sorry
>Write in

>>5574155
>>Have we met before?
>>I feel the same way

>>5574155
>>Have we met before?
>>I feel the same way

>>5574165
>>5575152

Writing

You're almost afraid to speak for a moment, as if voicing your own fears will somehow make them real. What she's saying sounds familiar, terrifyingly familiar.

"I feel the same way."

You see her eyes widen in surprise. She looks no less scared than before, if anything, more so. "What is happening?"

You shake your head, at a loss. "Have we met before? Somewhere?"

"No," Katya says. "How? Am not from here. I never been here."

"Have you?" You can see Katya on the beach laughing. It's so vivid, like the scales have fallen from your eyes, but it's gone a moment later, concealed behind confusion and a haze of other memories.

"Is not possible," Katya says. "Are we crazy?"

"How could we both be crazy?" you say. You try to think back to your panic attack. How long ago was that? Yesterday? A week ago? Two weeks? Why can't you remember that? Why are details falling through the cracks? Why is everything so intangible?

"Ethan," Katya whispers. "Am very scared." She holds out her hand for yours.

You take it automatically, there's no thought. "Don't be scared. It's just-" you can't even remotely think of something comforting. What the hell is even happening? "Everything will be alright, okay?"

She pulls her hand free of yours and hugs you tight. It's so familiar, her touch, her smell. You rub her back, not sure of what else to say or do. It goes on forever but is over in a flash.

You and Korine are finishing up your lunch.

"Thanks for eating with me, dude," Korine says, balling up her trash. "I guess I've just got the jitters about the dance."

"Right," you say, feeling weirdly disoriented. Were you talking about the dance? Maybe that's why you feel so off. You're worried about the dance too.

"I just know Renton is going to be a doofus. Not sure why I agreed to go with him," she says.

You feel like you have a funny quip or remark to interject with here but … nothing comes.

"You alright?" she asks.

Have you both been up here on the roof the whole time? You look around. Was it really just the two of you? You feel that sense like you've forgotten something very important.

"Ethan?"

For a moment, it's not Korine's voice but someone else's. When you look back, Korine is looking at you quizzically. You nod. "Yeah. Yeah I'm fine."

"Well make sure Renton doesn't get something dorky when you pick up your suits or whatever. If I have to look nice, so does he."


>You can count on me
>I still can't believe you agreed to go to the dance with him
>Sorry, wasn't there someone else up here?
>Write in

>>5575491
>>Sorry, wasn't there someone else up here?

>>5575491
>>Sorry, wasn't there someone else up here?

>>5575524
>>5575540

writing

You take another look around, not trusting your senses. You keep your voice low as if you're afraid of being overheard. "Wasn't there…"

Korine raises an eyebrow at you.

"Wasn't there someone else up here? Was it always just you and me?"

Korine looks at you like you have two heads, making you feel crazier than you've ever felt. Something about Korine's judging, condescending stare hurts worse than just about anything else she could say. Until you see it in her eyes. A flicker of doubt. It's only there for an instant, but you don't miss it.

"Dude, we were having lunch together like normal and now you're acting all squirrely."

You shake your head. No, that's not right. But you don't say anything.

"This thing with Linda has you really screwed up, huh?"

"I guess so."

"It's just a dance," she says. "You do the two step for an hour, make meaningful eye contact and then that's it."

You say nothing, staring at your feet. You feel sick.

"Need me to show you some moves?" She teases. "Don't know how to dance?"

"Something feels really wrong," you say. "I'm being serious. It's like . . ." You struggle to put it in words. "It's like I can't wake up. It's like I'm dreaming. Like none of this is half as real as it seems. Like I'm forgetting. Every moment is like I'm waking up and I can't remember how I got there."

The smirk vanishes from her face in an instant. "Jesus," she says. "You're serious. Ethan, are you really okay?"

"I don't know," you say, unable to shake the feeling that you were up here with someone else. You're scared.

"Maybe it's nerves," Korine suggests, her voice soft. "I think you'll feel better after the dance."

You nod awkwardly, not trusting yourself to speak. Maybe it is nerves. Maybe you're just nervous. You'll be having fun soon though. It's almost over. The thought seems to recall back to something someone said to you, but you can't make the memory surface.

(1/2)

School ends and you leave. Everything seems off, dimmer, darker, stranger.

When you're picking up your suit with Renton, you hardly talk, though it's not like he notices with how much he talks.

"'Pity date'," he says. "She had the audacity to say that." He laughs. "Please. I'm the one who pitied her, no? Her best friend and you. That's a recipe to be a third wheel, don't you think?"

You look at the clothes in your hand, hanging from a hangar as you wait to pay for the rental.

"Ethan?"

"Hm?'

Renton sighs. "I said don't you think Korine is being more insufferable than normal?"

"I think you two will have to reconcile your differences if you expect to dance with her tonight," you say.

He snorts. "Sure. Maybe. Maybe you're right. But the real event is you and Linda. Years in the making I think. It's about time you asked her. It's no secret to anyone how much you like her."

"Am I that transparent?" you say the words almost automatically.

"Like a pane of glass, my friend."

The two of you pay and leave the store for the chill late afternoon air, your destination: the school."


>Renton, do you feel like you've forgotten something? Like this is all wrong?
>Just make sure you're nice to Korine. I think she's got the worse end of this deal
>Say nothing
>Write in

>>5576108
>>Just make sure you're nice to Korine. I think she's got the worse end of this deal

>>5576108
>>Renton, do you feel like you've forgotten something? Like this is all wrong?

>>5576144
>>5576148


Writing

"Just make sure you're nice to Korine," You say. "I think she's got the worse end of this deal."

"Oh? Your professional opinion?" Renton asks.

For a moment, you feel more yourself. You smile. "Definitely." But it doesn't last.

"Hey, Renton."

"Hm?"

"You feel like you've forgotten something?"

He looks at the suit he carries. "No? Flowers? Korine doesn't strike me as the type. Maybe dead ones."

"I mean . . . do you feel like this is all wrong? Like we're out of place?"

Renton keeps walking and doesn't answer. For a moment you think he didn't hear you. You're about to repeat it when he speaks. "Maybe."

You're not sure how to respond to that.

"But I'm not one to question these things, Ethan," he says. "Se La Vie. Life is what it is."'

"What are you talking about? You know what I'm talking about? How things feel off?"

"Like we've forgotten ourselves," He says. "Yes. I do know."

"And you don't care?"

He stops and turns to face you. "Things are strange. Different. Yes. But not wrong. No? How could they be wrong? Isn't this exactly what you want?"

You're at a loss for words.

"I think this is what I want," he says. "I've started to remember, you see. I remember enough anyway. There is nothing left for me outside of this." He smiles. "Nothing."

You can see a rusted freighter exploding with fire in your mind's eye. You feel a stab of pain and guilt.

Renton puts his hands on your shoulders. "Do I understand? No. But I welcome it. It has something to do with you. Surely you know that much. You and Linda."

It rings true. "Yes," you say.

He gives you a friendly slap on the arm. "The choice isn't mine. But whatever you choose, I'll back you. You are my brother." An expression of shame and guilt flashes across his face. "I owe you that much at least."

He looks up before you can reply. "Looks like we're here."

You're at the school and you're both in your suits. The muffled strains of music drift from the school's auditorium. It's dark.

"Follow your heart, Ethan. No regrets, eh?"


>I will
>Write in

>>5577049
>>I will

>>5577049
>>I will

>>5577076
>>5577566

Writing

"I will."

Renton gestures you ahead, and you go. The double doors open and you move into the soft, dim light of the auditorium. Blue lights paint everything in moody, oceanic tones as strains of music wash over you.

It's the Waltz, the one you've come to associate with Linda. The Waltz of Life and Death.

The tune is familiar, unforgettable, and as you listen to it, your memories come back in a rush. The Angels, Nerv, Alaska, the Secret Sea. Linda's death and her miraculous rebirth. It's the moment that everything clicks, that none of this is real. This isn't reality, not as you know it.

In the middle of the hall, her feet not touching the ground, is Linda. Her wings shimmer in the blue lights, her features lit by the ring of light over her head. She gives you a sad smile. "Hello again, Ethan."

You enter the room and come to stand across from her, at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry," she says. "For lying to you. For manipulating you. I didn't want to do it,. But I had to show you what was possible, the sort of life that could be waiting for us. It might not mean anything to you, but it hurt. Doing this to you hurt me." You see tears in her eyes, her voice full of regret. "That's not how I want to be. But I would never leave you in the dark forever. I just needed you to see it with your own eyes."

"Where are we? What is this place?" You ask.

"One of my dreams," she says.

"A dream?"

She nods. "For now. It's a dream that can be real with the power of Cain. Think of it like a glimpse. Just a preview. It's imperfect, flawed. I don't have the ability to make it totally real. Not yet."

"Renton? Katya? Korine? The others? What about them? What did you do to them?"

"They're all here," she says. "They're all safe. We're connected the way you and I are. I reached out to touch their minds and bring them to this place with you."

"What did you do to Katya?" you demand, suddenly cognizant about her disappearance. "Is she-"

"She's safe," Linda says quickly and firmly. "I did not hurt her, and I don't want to hurt her. She saw through this place faster than I expected. I just let her go. I didn't want her to distort anything before you had a chance to experience things. But they all helped me to make this place. Their thoughts, their dreams."

"That's what this is about?" you say. "This is the world you want to build?" You reflect momentarily on the tranquility of this place, the beauty. The promise. Here you have a family, here you're not a child soldier. The future looks bright and clear.

"One of them." Linda says. "After the Reconciliation we'll have all the time in the world. No limits. Anything we can dream can be real. Everything can be perfect, not just for us, but for everyone. There's room for everyone."

"Everyone? You mean your merger with the Angels? What will happen to them? They'll all be here?"

"They'll all become like me," Linda says before adding "Like us." She smiles. "Something more. We'll be together and life will be whatever we want it to be. A beautiful dream."

"A dream," you repeat.

"No suffering, no want, no hunger, no pain. Only what we want to be, will be. Life doesn't have to end, it can go on! You and me and everyone all together. A new world. A new future. A new beginning." She reaches out, offering her hand to you. "I won't force you. I could never do that. If you want this, it has to be something you pick, Ethan. I am not here to trick you or to pressure you. I just … I want you to see what I see. Will you join me? Will you dance with me Ethan?"


>Take her head and begin the Reconciliation of Angels and Humanity
>"I can't do that, Linda. This isn't the future I want. There can't be any Reconciliation."
>Write in

>>5578220
>>Take her head and begin the Reconciliation of Angels and Humanity
Do it.

Take her head- Decapitation!
That’s an unfortunate typo.
>Refuse her offer

>>5578275
Oh no! That is an unfortunate typo. Classic TK quality.

>>5578220
>"I can't do that, Linda. This isn't the future I want. There can't be any Reconciliation."

>>5578220
>>"I can't do that, Linda. This isn't the future I want. There can't be any Reconciliation."
>Write in
"I hope you wont hate me for my choice, but I still want to dance with you. One last time."

>>5578759
vote for this

>>5578220
>Take her head and begin the Reconciliation of Angels and Humanity

>Take her hand
>>5578262
>>5579031


>I can't do that
>>5578275
>>5578500
>>5578759
>>5578943

>>5579327
Sorry, should have specified:

>I can't do that

Writing

"Linda, I-" you see the hurt instantly register on her face. "I can't do that," you say. "I'm sorry. This isn't the future I want."

She lowers her hand. "I see."

"There can't be any Reconciliation. Angels, humanity, our paths are separate. They'll have to stay that way."

She says nothing. Her hair remains motionless and unaffected in the slow currents of the deep sea that flow around the two of you. The lights of the auditorium dim to be replaced by the eerie blue glow of the Stygian Sea.

"There's a whole world outside of this one, I can't turn my back on it. Better or worse, we have to live with it."

Silence.

"I'm sorry, Linda."

Finally she meets your gaze, her face streaked with tears. "I don't blame you, Ethan. You're doing what you think is right. Agree or not, I trust you."

You feel your heart breaking. You are all too aware of what a lack of Reconciliation between your kinds will mean. "I hope you don't hate me for this."

"No," she says, wiping her eyes. "No, I don't hate you. I'm just . . . " She can't stop crying. "I don't know why things had to be this way. Why I had to die."

There's a stab of pain in your chest. Guilt. "I'm so sorry," you say. "I tried to save you. I really did, I tried-"

"I don't blame you," she says quickly. "How could I blame you, Ethan? You're the most important person to me. You're the one who tried to save me, the one who gave me a second chance. I think that . . . whatever I am now, I don't think I can be it anymore."

You wipe at your own eyes futility. The two of you are alone in the crushing black depths. No school. No sea. "Linda," you say. "I still want to dance with you." You hold out a hand. "One last time."

She smiles, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. "How could I refuse?" She takes your hand in hers and you're together, more together than you've ever been with anyone else. Alone in the night, you dance to the sounds of that unending Waltz. You don't dare to look away from her. Each moment is precious. Dream or not, this is as real as it gets. The knowledge that this could go on forever if you wanted hurts more than anything.

You hold Linda tight to you and follow her steps through the endless night. "When I'm gone," she whispers in your ear. "Will you still think of me?"

"Always."

"When you do, please remember me the way I used to be. Not like this." Her tears fall on your neck, hot and wet.

"You're still Linda," you say. "I love you now as much as I always have. I always will."

She squeezes you tighter

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180 KB JPG

"Are you … scared?" you ask.

"No," she whispers. "Whatever happens to me after this, I'm ready. Dreaming or sleeping. I'm ready for either one."

The seconds are slipping away. Linda's touch is becoming less tangible.

"Are you scared?" she asks.

"Yes," you choke out.

"Don't be." Her hand caresses your cheek and you find yourself staring into her eyes. "Things will be okay. This isn't the end. This is just the start of something new."

When you try to squeeze her tighter, you feel only your Eva's control throttles. The harder you try to hold the dream, the faster it slips away.

Linda hangs in the deep water of the Stygian Sea between you and the armored hatch to Eden. You in your Eva, her beside the cross Angel. The cacophony of reality races back in your senses.

"-AT Field neutralized. All contact is unfiltered!"

"Ethan, can you hear me? Engage and destroy the target now!" A voice from your past, Captain Holiday. "Ethan, destroy the Angel!" She's panicked, absolutely terrified. All of them are. You can almost taste their fear. Really, you're all afraid of the same thing. The Unknown, whatever happens next.

"Pilot's vitals spiking! Mental readings show normal again."

"Goddamit, what's going on down there!?" Holiday shouts.

You only register the Cross Angel's movement a moment later. It's advancing on you, core glowing with energy, charging up to fire.

Linda raises a hand and a hexagonal AT field splits the water with a thunderclap, intercepting the energy blast. "If there can only be one of us," she says, "It's going to be them."

The Angel implodes, collapsing into itself in a burst of light that leaves green afterimages in your vision. It's gone, like it never existed.

Linda lowers her hand and looks at you again. "You won't forget me?" she asks.

"No," you say, ignoring the frantic radio chatter buzzing in the entry plug. "Never."

"Then you know what you have to do. I can't do it on my own." She closes her eyes.

The Progressive Lance feels impossibly heavy in your Eva's grip. One quick blow would end this. It would be fast. Painless. Only you can do it. Everyone is watching.


>Finish it
>"I can't do it."
>Write in

>>5579345
>>Finish it

>>5579345
>>Finish it

>>5579345
>Finish it.

>>5579388
>>5579425
>>5580026

writing

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937 KB GIF

Your vision is blurred by your tears as you focus on Linda's form, hovering serenely before you, arms spread, eyes closed.

You grit your teeth. "I'm sorry."

The lance flashes out. A burst of light and energy and she's gone. This time forever.

Seconds of silence tick by with agonizing slowness, the gravity of your action weighs heavier and heavier on you. You feel like you're drowning in grief.

"The target is … Angel destroyed. No further signals."

Your breath doesn't want to come. You have to force it into your lungs. You feel nauseous, adrift. This can't be real. This can't be happening. Why did everything turn out this way?

"Well done, Ethan," Captain Holiday's voice. "Standby for retrieval."

The line goes dead and you're alone on the bottom of a forgotten sea.

You stab the lance down, plunging it into the silt-covered bedrock before the armored door. Your throat aches from the feral cry you let out, equal parts rage and despair. You scream until there's nothing left in you, and all that comes are sobs.

Linda's dead. All that's left is anguish, welling from the scar on your soul. There's nothing left to say, only tears come.

***

>Neon Terminus Evangelion
>/End Episode 10
https://youtu.be/yK5mhtaDK8g

Next: The End of Evangelion
It's almost over. It's just begun.

***

See you soon.

>>5580261
good shit TK

>>5580320
Thanks for playing! Glad you enjoyed.

>>5580331
May I ask about your next quest after this one finishes up?

>>5591581
Sorry, didn't see this.

Genuinely not sure. I don't know if there is going to be one or what it would be. I have all kinds of ideas, but time is the problem.

>>5594631
I get it. heres hoping though.