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Shinji and Asuka were falling head over heals.  Yet they certainly weren’t falling in ‘love’.  Quite another emotion was at work, and the only thing saving the boy in blue toga from being asphyxiated by the girl in red leathers was the simple fact that she could not get any leverage without a solid surface beneath them.  That, and the possibility that he really was immortal.

Still, the girl in the diaphanous white gown reflected, it was only a possibility.  “Don’t kill him, Pilot Soryu-Langely,” Rei suggested politely.  “We may need Pilot Ikari to extract us from this situation.”

“Shut up, Doll Girl,” Asuka snarled.  “It’s his fault were in this mess in the first place.”

“I’m not sure that’s true,” Rei pondered.  “Anyway, maybe you should just maim him.”

“Dash nought alpine ninny,” gagged Shinji; or at least that’s what it sounded like through his constricted oesophagus.

“Well, as therapeutic as attempted deicide may be,” Rei observed serenely, “it’s not really productive.”

Asuka’s murderous rage simmered down into a smouldering glare.  “Oh, and can you suggest anything better?”

“We should explore this land.”

“Why?” Asuka expounded.   “Where ever we are, it sure isn’t anywhere near Tokyo III.”

“True.  But if the game is any guide, we will need to find some villagers and impress them with Shinji’s godly might.”

“Oh, now there’s a plan doomed to failure from the start,” Asuka huffed, then growled, “I say we just waste them!   End this ‘game’ quickly and get out of here?”

“I’m not sure that would work,” Rei objected.  “According to the logic of the game’s reality, gods without followers are banished to the void.  Do you wish to risk being exiled into darkness for the rest of eternity?”

“No, Mommy!” Asuka cried and curled into a ball while she flash-backed.  “Don’t lock me in the dark!   I’ll be good, Mommy!   I promise…”

“Ah, Asuka?” Shinji found his voice in time to worry.  “Ahem.  Are you okay?”

“Never mind!” Asuka snapped and brushed him aside.  “Alright, new plan! We’ll overwhelm them with shock and awe!”

“No,” Rei objected.  “Shinji needs to win their hearts and minds!”

Asuka opened her mouth to protest, then reconsidered.  “You’re right!  Shinji isn’t able to inspire awe in anyone.”

“Hey,” the boy in question protested hoarsely.

“I know,” Asuka sniped.  “You resemble that remark.”

“Damn right I do,” Shinji asserted.  “Wait…  Hey!”

“Don’t worry, Leader,” Rei encouraged seriously.  “As your consciences we will guide you.”

“That’s right, ‘Boss’,” Asuka mocked.  “We’ll help you rule these people!”

“What people!?” Shinji demanded and spread his arms wide to encompass the idyllic but empty island landscape.

“You should investigate the land more closely, Leader,” Rei assured him.  “They may be relatively small and hard to notice.”

“She’s right,” Asuka agreed.  “Don’t just float here, ‘Mighty One’, get to work!”

And lo, at the urging of divine Rei and demonic Asuka, didst Holy Shinji search the Land far and wide.  He didst also seek close and near.  And foresooth their seeking was profitable, for lo and behold, soonest didst they encounter a wonder.  And yeah, they were amazed!