The real point of this chapter is Cirus' suspension at the end. The reason why will be obvious for the plot later. That said, I took a basic Angel battle, and tried to flesh it out with dialogue that would tie it into the rest of the Eva universe. Cirus' wry comment about the Sea of Dirac is a specific example. I also used this battle to show that Unit 01 can still go berserk, but Shinji seems to have a way of 'inducing' the trance that goes along with it. Notice, also, that I have it happen when Asuka is in danger. One thing I did try to work on throughout Kenosis was to never have Cirus appear too powerful in comparison to the other Evas and pilots. This battle lets Shinji shine, and later ones star each of the three original pilots, with Cirus getting plenty of attention himself. I think I still failed to avoid making him look more powerful than the others, but hopefully his superiority is muted, at least. The logic of gravity passing through AT fields is simple. AT fields are physical expressions of the Soul's power, they only let through what the weilder allows through. Since neither Eva is floating off the ground, we can see that they are both allowing gravity to ignore their AT field. Unfortunately, the 21st Angel, Kakabel, can press that to its advantage. The manipulation of Shinji by Cirus may seem disturbing, but it's really more decent than one might assume. Cirus would be more than happy to make the sacrifice himself, but he can't betray his word to Misato. Asuka is too head-strong, he just doesn't want to endanger Rei, and so that leaves Shinji. He would also never force the issue, only ask. The decision was Shinji's (and Asuka's...).

The short part immediately after the battle is a chance to have Shinji and Cirus interact, have Shinji reveal that his frustration and Unit 01 going berserk have a connection, and then maintaining Asuka's attitude from the series. Asuka goes through the least development in Kenosis, which, ironically, spares her from most of the suffering I inflict on the characters. Suffering causes growth, it's actually a good thing, just not enjoyable in and of itself. Cirus comes to Shinji's defense as much out of his own guilt at asking the other boy to risk dying for him as out of annoyance at Asuka's rude behavior. His brisk tone is a pace-setter for later scenes between the red-haired girl and himself.

I recall the following section went through two or three iterations before I moved on from it originally. I wanted consequences for Cirus' actions this time, it was too blunt to ignore, but the issue of actually handling it was difficult. I knew I wanted Cirus stuck out of his Eva (see the next Angel battle for why), but the rest was still up in the air when I wrote the scene originally. Ikari's pleasure at getting rid of Cirus is, I believe, quite natural for his character. Rather, the fact that he lets Misato's trust convince him to only give Cirus a suspension is debatable. Since the Major had saved NERV so often before, I gambled that Ikari would take her judgment seriously enough to alter his opinion... for now. Fuyutuski is actually not so wary of Cirus as it may seem. Already, the Vice-Commander is testing the waters around Ikari. The instant Third-Impact failed, Fuyutsuki started pondering about the merits of their actions. In Koso's case, the very nature of the Kenosis story helps spur him into the growth I intend. Cirus' reaction may appear odd to the reader, but it's explained, however cryptically, in the last section...

Which I'll cover now. Just some character interaction and establishing that people are learning about Cirus' suspension. Asuka's occasional moments of politeness toward Shinji appeared to be caused by her calmer mind stewing on her activities after the fact. I sense Asuka talks faster than she thinks, on occasion, especially when she's aggravated. However, she can't let anyone percieve that, so she has to keep up the 'I'm right', even if she knows she's wrong. Cirus' arrival shows a possibly surprising response from Misato. Again, the Major is better aware of what Cirus is than anyone else, and is quite wary of him thinking her a traitor. He helps break that fear himself, and it was why he came over in the first place. And as I mentioned above, his reaction to his suspension is simple. He doesn't care. Though his connection to his Eva is unique, he has no desire to pilot it. The reasons why are various, and without spoiling the aspects revealed later, it's safe to say that Unit 14 reminds him of something he'd be happy to forget. This also marks the end of any contention between Cirus and Misato personally. They may disagree in future, but they're officially on the same side.