Quote:As he woke up, Shinji found it a bit odd how human it actually felt. As he sat up on the examination bed in the lab, he found that underneath the medical gown he was wearing (and idly wondering why if Prometheus Forge was so high-tech they hadn’t come up with something that didn’t leave the back exposed) his body was acting far too human-like for comfort.

Thus it was right at this time when A.C. walked in.



“Good morning Shinji.” A.C. smiled at the android, a twinkle in her emerald eyes the only hint that she was quite aware of the issue the young man was having.



Shinji nodded, trying to take his eyes off the beautiful woman. This was harder than when he’d first arrived, as she wasn’t wearing the figure-hugging (no, don’t think of that) catsuit but a long black dress showing her full cleavage (pink elephants, don’t think of pink-ACK!) and her long, long legs through the near waist height slits of both sides (is she even…NO!) as she swayed in.

Shinji swallowed as she turned to one of the side benches, and swallowed again when it became obvious the dress had no back right down to the top of her (she’s not…DON’T) behind, showing (Oh kami…) the pale tops of each (Pythagoras’ Theorem is a squared plus bu-ARGH) buttock.



A.C. walked back towards Shinji carrying one of the scanners he’d seen about, and to the young man it seemed she was stalking him like a cat that knew its prey wasn’t getting away.



“Don’t worry Shinji.” The raven-haired cyborg told him. “I didn’t have my wicked way with you while asleep.” She smiled, and Shinji had to fight another swallow. “After all,” the cyberneticist’s voice took on a husky purr as she leaned over, “it isn’t any fun if both sides aren’t enjoying it.”



Shinji wanted the ground to swallow him up out of shear embarrassment and arousal. Then his eyes widened in realisation, and A.C.’s smile went from sultry to mischievous as she winked at him.



“Like I said,” her voice tinged with some humour as she stood up straight, “it isn’t any fun if both sides aren’t enjoying it.” She manipulated the scanner device, warbles and beeps emanating from it. “Everything looks good. Your clothes are behind the curtain.” She nodded to the side, where the curtained off area looked unchanged to before. “Unless you would like a hand? I might have to perform a more…thorough…examination.”



Shinji could feel the flush this time, and the lack of slowdown he was expecting. The second mischievous wink made him blurt out what he was thinking.



“Will you show me the differences?”



A.C.’s smile widened as her gaze turned a bit more frank in its appraisal.



“I may get a bit carried away and go into intimate detail.”



It was the way the cyborg said the word ‘intimate’ that pushed Shinji’s courage past the limit, and he dashed behind the curtain like he was setting the 100 metre sprint record.



“Aw…” A.C. wined playfully. “I didn’t get to enjoy that cute tush of yours.”



From behind the curtain came a sound much like the squeak of a small furry animal that knows that it is doomed.



“So,” A.C. stated in a much more normal tone of voice, “we’ve proved that the overheating issue is fixed, and stress tested it in hopefully a more enjoyable fashion than sticking you in one of the greenhouses or a steam room. You’ve gotten some experience in dealing with embarrassment and arousal now you won’t pass out, and believe me Shinji Ikari there are plenty of ladies out there who want to be the one to make you a man.”

The rustling behind the curtain stopped suddenly.



“A nice, somewhat shy young man with a cute butt? For Serenity’s sake, half the unattached Venus and Jupiter adherents will want to chase you. And let’s not mention how many women want to give you a hug. And more.” A.C.’s tone turned softer. “You’re still finding yourself Shinji, and one of the things you’ll have to deal with is people knowing your template’s, your, history and making assumptions.” The cyberdoc’s voice turned amused. “Flirting back like you did earlier will probably throw them a bit however.”



There were a few moments of silence before the sounds of movement resumed behind the curtains.



[NOTE: The dress A.C. is wearing is the same one Attim wears in the hospital in volume 4 of the manga.]